The Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout presented by PepsiCo is more than just a stop on the Symetra Tour or an opportunity for rising young, female golfers to earn a shot at their LPGA Tour Card, according to a news release from Murphy USA.
“It’s a significant local fundraising opportunity, with this year’s event benefiting the Boys & Girls Club of El Dorado,” said David Lee, executive director of the Boys & Girls Club.
“On behalf of the Boys & Girls Club and staff, we feel very fortunate and thankful to have been chosen as the beneficiary of this golf tournament. We know the kids will be grateful for the expansion of their programs because of the Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout,” Lee said. “This is one more event that El Dorado has to help the future of our youth,” he added.
Established as the Boys Club of El Dorado in 1939 by community leaders who saw a need for local boys to have positive activities to do, the club has provided fun, engaging after-school and summer programs to the children of Union County for decades.
In 1990, the Boys Club was re-established as the Boys & Girls Club of El Dorado, welcoming all youth to join. Today they provide two facilities, the North West and David A. Wetherington Units, located in different areas of the city where over 2,000 El Dorado youth, ages 6 to 18, participate as members.
The club offers a broad range of programs focusing on character, leadership, educational and career development, as well as the arts, sports, fitness, recreation, health and life skills.
Taking a different approach than other youth programs, the Boys & Girls Club focuses on relationship-based interactions. They utilize their programs and activities as tools to encourage club members to develop strong relationships with adult role models. It is through these relationships that young lives are truly transformed in a positive and long-lasting way, Lee said.
“Our plans for the funds raised at the Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout will be to expand our programs for the kids. For example, educational programs which help bring them to the grade level where they should be. We will expand our gym/sports outreach with better equipment and will continue to update some of the technology in the library to make it a more fun and exciting place for the kids to visit every day. We will also update our computer lab so the kids can utilize it as needed for school work,” said Lee.
The Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout, presented by PepsiCo, will be held Sept. 15 to 17, at Mystic Creek Golf Club, with special events scheduled throughout the week, including a Junior Golf Clinic and Pro-Am scramble. Tickets are free to the community, thanks to a generous sponsorship by First Financial Bank. For more information about the event, visit the tournament’s website at www.eldoradoshootout.com.
For more information on the Boys & Girls Club of El Dorado, call (870) 863-8753 or visit www.eldoradokids.org.