Shootout: Money raised in 2011, changes to come in 2012

LAKE OF THE OZARKS, Mo. -- The 23rd Lake of the Ozarks Shootout raised $70,570 for 20 local non-profit organizations.

“We are very pleased with this year’s earnings,” said Ron Duggan, lead organizer of the Shootout and owner of Captain Ron’s.  

The event raised $70,000 in 2010, $50,877 in 2009 and 41,000 in 2008.

Official Shootout T-shirt sales earned the most of all Shootout fundraisers bringing in $26,000. An auction, the Shootout Guide and the Poker Run all earn approximately $10,000-$15,000 each year. The remainder of the events have traditionally raised $1,000-$3,000 annually. 

Benefitting organizations

The Shootout benefitted eight local fire districts: the Gravois, Sunrise Beach, Osage Beach, Lake Ozark, Mid County, Rocky Mount, Cross Timbers and Coffman Bend Fire Protection Districts. Local non-profits also benefitted, including the Lake West Chamber of Commerce, the Elks Lodge #2705, Habitat for Humanity, Lake Ozark Kiwanis Club, Lake Ozark Shriners, Share the Harvest Food Pantry, Helping Hands Homeless Shelter, Laurie/Sunrise Beach Rotary Club, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 30-05, Knights of Columbus, and the Make A Wish Foundation. 

Volunteers earn money

To receive the money, each organization provided volunteers. Each volunteer “earned” money for their organization, depending on the scope of work performed. The more intensive the job, the more they made per volunteer hour. The fire departments had the best payout for working directly on the race course. The fire districts took care of the safety of spectators and racers by providing fire boats and dive teams. The highest earner in the fire department category was the Mid-County Fire Protection District with $10,075. The second highest earner was the Coffman Bend Fire Protection District at $7,939.05. The Elks Club were the third highest at $7,627.30. The Lake Ozark Fire Protection District earned $6,983. The Sunrise Beach Fire Protection District earned $6,949 and the Lake West Chamber of Commerce earned $6,895.

The muscle and brains behind the Shootout 

The Shootout board, committee members and a total of 493 volunteers, all coordinated to make the event a success in 2011.

Duggan, who owns several businesses, works on the Shootout every week, all year long. During the months of July and August it takes up the vast majority of his time. 

“I don’t mind all the work. I love it, it’s all about raising money for the charities,” Duggan said.

Since there is no purse for the winner, the racers are shelling out thousands of dollars each to travel to the lake and race. “They have that compassionate heart and that is why they do it,” Duggan said. 

Along with Duggan, a six-member board and several committees comprised of 45 volunteers work together to lead the effort. Kent Morris of Pirate’s Pointe is in charge of the racecourse. He clocks in the most number of hours working on the Shootout, next to Duggan. 

Record-breaking crowds

An estimated record-breaking crowd of 100,000 took part in the various Shootout events leading up to and including the powerboat races.

The west side of the lake began hosting the race in 2008. The first race was held in 1988 as a fundraiser for the Lake Ozark Fire District.

2011 Top Guns

The 2011 Lake of the Ozarks Shootout Top Gun champions were driver Bill Tomlinson and throttle man Ken Kehoe in “My Way.” My Way is a 50-foot Mystic with a turbine engine. The Mystic made a total of eight runs during this year’s Shootout, tying Dave Scott’s record of 208 mph. For the past four years, Shootout racers have not been able to exceed the 209 mph record set by Callan Marine.

New plans and goals

Plans are brewing to tweak the schedule of the weeklong event in 2011. The Mini Shootout will be moved to the weekend before the powerboat races. The Shootout Golf Tournament is moving from Monday to Sunday to increase participation.

The PWC races will begin earlier next year at 8:30 a.m. instead of 10 a.m. The powerboats will start their engines at 10 a.m. Due to racer requests, the races will end 3 p.m. on Sunday to finish the awards ceremony in enough time for racers to hit the road and get home at a decent hour. 

A Shootout tribute to Bob Morgan and Jeffrey Tillman

A tribute will be held during the 2012 Shootout for Bob Morgan and Jeffrey “JT” Tillman. Morgan and Tillman were killed in a boat crash Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011, at the Key West World Championship Offshore Power Boat races. “Morgan was a big supporter of the Shootout. He helped us to get where we are today,” Duggan said. Duggan was in Key West watching the race when the crash occurred. “It was devastating, a great loss,” Duggan said.

New racers and sponsors

Duggan said several racers he spoke with in Key West have expressed interest in coming to the lake for the 2012 Shootout. He would also like to persuade Bill Tomlinson and Dave Scott to return.

Duggan already has meetings set up to speak with new sponsors. The top Shootout sponsors spend $10,000 to $15,000, but there are many sponsorship tiers providing a myriad of benefits. Businesses interested in becoming a sponsor should call Duggan at 573-216-6363.

Eight days of events

The Shootout consists of eight days of events including the Shootout Beach Ball party, the Shootout Treasure Hunt, the Shootout Benefit Golf Tournament, the LO Profiles Celebrity Volleyball Tournament, the RC Mini Shootout, the PWC Dam Run, the Shootout Benefit Auction, the Celebrity Sand Volleyball Tournament, the Stereo Shootout, the Poly Lift Poker Run, and the main event, the Shootout Boat/PWC races.