The Missouri Sports Hall of Fame closed a months-long, roughly three-quarters of a million dollar gap on Friday, announcing it will soon distribute the final funds owed to charities of last year’s Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Hiland Dairy Foods.
In essence, it was a Promises Made, Promises Kept mission by Rob Marsh, who took over as CEO of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame on Jan. 6. In fact, his announcement came just days before this year’s Price Cutter tournament tees off at Highland Springs Country Club in Springfield. It also comes eight months after the tournament announced it was facing a roughly $750,000 deficit owed to nearly 50 charities.
In all, 24 charities were made whole on Friday.
“This has been my No. 1 priority since I expressed an interest in leading the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame and the Price Cutter Charity Championship last December. I promised then that we would keep our promise to our charities, and now we can say we have kept that promise,” said Marsh, who had worked 27 years for Price Cutter Supermarkets, rising to the role Chief Operating Officer in recent years. “We are so happy to distribute these funds to charities, as the money will go toward helping developmentally disabled children, families whose kids are in local hospitals and many more in need.”
Marsh was introduced as the incoming CEO on Dec. 17, and he and the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame team have executed a number of financial belt-tightening strategies since, focusing on cost-control efforts and expense-cutting. The Hall of Fame manages the Price Cutter tournament, and both are 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organizations.
Their determination to regain the organizations’ financial footing did not go unnoticed. Numerous business leaders stepped forward and rallied around their efforts in recent months. On the day Marsh was introduced, the tournament distributed north of $325,000 to charities. More funds have been sent in recent months.
“We cannot thank businesses and individuals enough for their generosity in making this happen,” Marsh said. “It’s a testament to our community. Everyone clearly understands the important work of our charities, and they shared my vision not to let them down.”
All of this came as Marsh and the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame worked to prepare for the 36th edition of the Price Cutter tournament, which is set for July 17 to July 20 at Highland Springs Country Club. The tournament is part of the Korn Ferry Tour, and includes numerous fundraisers – including the Golf Ball & Charity Auction presented by Hiland Dairy Foods. It is a free event to the public and set for Tuesday evening at the Oasis Hotel & Convention Center in Springfield.
Remaining pro-ams are the SRC Pro-Am on Monday at Highland Springs, the Silver Dollar City Pro-Am at Buffalo Ridge Golf Course and First Watch Women’s Pro-Am at Millwood Golf & Racquet Club on Tuesday and the Champions Pro-Am presented by Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper on Wednesday at Highland Springs. The SRC’s pros will be players in the Korn Ferry Tour field later in the week, and the Champions Pro-Am features the top points leaders on the tour – many who are close to earning their PGA TOUR cards.
For tickets, sponsorships or to learn other ways to help the 2025 charities, please call 417-887-3400.