The history of the Shamrock
Shootout began in 1987, when Jim Dunn got together with his friend Jack
Cawley, president of ABS Complete Printing, for a friendly round of golf on
St. Patrick's Day. It was decided that the loser of the round would donate
$1500.00 to his favorite charity. This “friendly competition” became the
foundation for the Shootout, originally named the Fore Others Golf
Tournament, which emerged in 1988 as a way to raise money for those in
need.
The hosts for this annual event were Jimmy Dunn, John Ponchock, Bill Edwards and John McKennon.
Fore Others provided a competitive game of golf, an
informal networking event, and most importantly a charity event in support
of Martha’s Table, an organization helping those in need in the nation's
capital. All registered twosomes played as teams with full handicap
utilization with cash prizes awarded for both Net and Gross categories.
Although holes were sponsored, they were not manned, thus reducing
disturbances on the course.
In 1992, the tournament was renamed the Shamrock Shootout, to commemorate
the spirit that prompted the original event. This tournament was held at
the Woodmore Country Club (originally called Prince Georges Country Club) on
an 18-hole field. In 1993, the Shootout moved to Upper Marlboro Country
Club, and in 1994, determining that the tournament should be elevated to a
higher level, the Shamrock Shootout established its home at Queenstown
Harbor Golf Links on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Then coined “the
hospitality industry’s richest golf tournament,” the tournament fielded
a full 18-hole field with A and B shotgun groups.
In 1998, the tournament expanded to a 36-hole format to satisfy the
growing demand of participants. In addition, the tournament date was slated
the day before Springtime in the Park® each year, allowing the out-of-town
suppliers and planners a better opportunity to participate and network.
In 1999, the Shamrock
Shootout started its first annual night before crab feast, which was held at
Harris Crab house. Then in 2003 the crab feast was moved to a much larger
establishment, Fisherman's Crab Deck, to accommodate the large response of
participation in networking, fund raising and hospitality education.
In May of 2000, the
Shamrock Shootout lost one of its most cherished and beloved founders, James
T. Dunn, who lost his battle with cancer. Thus the James T. Dunn Memorial
Foundation was formed which renamed the Shamrock Shootout to "Jimmy Dunn's
Shamrock Shootout" and became a steady contributor to cancer research in
Jim's honor.
Barbara Cox-Dunn,
current president of the James T. Dunn Memorial Foundation, has been an
active driving force and major supporter of the tournament since its
creation. To this day Barbara has successfully made each year better than
the previous by continuously striving to improve ways to benefit and raise
money for cancer research as well as raising money for education and
scholarship funds for the hospitality industry. Barbara Cox-Dunn has truly
made the Shamrock Shootout a nationally recognized fund raising event within
the industry and a highly recognizable foundation in contributing and
supporting cancer research.
The Jimmy Dunn's
Shamrock Shootout will be celebrating its 17th anniversary in the spring of
2009. Presently, the James T. Dunn Memorial Foundation handles all
tournament proceeds. |
