by: Written by Matt Trulio
From the standpoint of a reporter who has covered the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout through its brightest and darkest times, it is difficult to imagine the Central Missouri event without Ron Duggan. The 64-year-old Lake of the Ozarks resident has been integral to the growth of the event since it moved to the waters off Captain Ron’s Bar & Grill in 2008. Now, some 16 years of dedication and devotion later, the soft-spoken Shootout president is stepping away from steering what has become the largest event the go-fast boating world has ever known.
Duggan announced his retirement this afternoon.
For 16 years, Ron Duggan (third from left) put his heart and soul into the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout.
“After much discussion with my family about my involvement with the Shootout, we all just felt it was time,” Duggan explained. “The Shootout has been a major part of our lives for so many years, so this was a huge decision for me and I wanted to make sure I was doing the right thing for my family. My kids grew up knowing that for two months out of the year, the only thing I worked on was the Shootout.”
A Bob Morgan Memorial Lake of the Ozarks Shootout Hall of Fame member for his unmatched coverage and commitment to the Shootout, speedonthewater.com co-publisher Jason Johnson became close friends with Duggan and his wife, Nicole. Johnson continued the tradition of joining Duggan for dinner at Captain Ron’s—a ritual started long ago by former Powerboat magazine editor Brett Becker—on Sunday evening once the awards ceremony action had died down.
Though he was not surprised to hear the news, Johnson was saddened by it.
“There’s no doubt Ron Duggan and his enormously generous heart will be missed when it comes to the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout,’ he said. “Not only was Ron an amazing leader and champion of the event but his inherent knowledge of logistics, sponsors and, most of all, Shootout participants, was unmatched. He took a chance on bringing the event to Captain Ron’s 16 years ago and never looked back despite owning and managing various businesses around the lake and coaching his daughter’s basketball teams for the past decade.
“I am sure going to miss my conversations with my fellow Shootout Hall of Fame member,” he added. “But I know the Shootout is in great hands with its amazing board of directors, which surely makes it easier for Ron to step away.”
Ron Duggan (center) contributed to the Shootout in every possible way.
Sometimes lost in the incredible performances on the water during the Shootout is the even more incredible fundraising it does for people in need in the Lake of the Ozarks community. Since moving to Captain Ron’s, the event has donated $3,945,000 to local charities, fire departments and organizations around the Lake of the Ozarks. It continues to grow with an average of 40 organizations helping with the shootout and volunteering over 10,000-man hours to the event.
“All of this would not have happened without my good friend and previous board member, Kent Morris,” Duggan said. “Once the weekend was here, I would call Kent and say, ‘Okay buddy, it’s all yours,’ and he would take over the reins for what happened on the water. We had a great system in place, and it worked well. I can’t thank him enough for what he did for the Shootout for all these years.
“To the hundreds and hundreds of volunteers, thank you for making this all happen,” he added. “It would not be what it is today without your help. To the racers and participants, sponsors and donors, and to the people that came to the event all these years if for nothing else, just to buy a T-shirt to help support the cause, thank you all from the bottom of my heart.”
Duggan will continue his life and businesses at the Lake of the Ozarks with his endlessly supportive wife, Nicole. He is a fixture of the community. He always will be.
“I’ve had a great run as the President of the Shootout,” he said. “I hope that I’ve made a difference in the lives of the people of our community.”
On that point, there is zero doubt. Congratulations, Ron Duggan. And thank you.
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