Figures released last week by Lake of the Ozarks Shootout committee chairman Ron Duggan indicate the 2008 event made $43,500.26 for lake area fire departments and other not-for-profit organizations.
And while that falls short of the 2007 Lake Rescue Shootout's $86,000 windfall, many factors played into this year's equation. Captain Ron's Bar & Grill, owned by Duggan, hosted the Shootout for the first time after a 19-year run at Shooter's 21. A major corporate sponsor, Budweiser, also matched funds raised by the fire departments in recent years. However, the company did not make that commitment this year.
"You also have to keep in mind that we had a lot of first year expenses that the fire departments didn't have," Duggan said last week. "For example, our insurance cost ten times more than it cost the fire districts, and we didn't have all the sponsors they had."
Still, Duggan called this year's Shootout a great event and said he and committee members will use what was learned as a springboard for 2009's Shootout.
Sunrise Beach Fire Protection District Chief [SBFPD] Chief John Suellentrop, a key member of the committees that organized the Lake Rescue Shootout for nearly two decades, echoed Duggan's sentiment.
"It took us 19 years to get this worked out to get those kinds of funds [$86,000] and it varied a lot year to year," said Suellentrop. "He was basically in a new location, with a lot of unknowns. Not getting the matching funds from Budweiser means [a sponsorship shortfall] between twelve and twenty thousand — that makes that forty thousand look realistic. It makes a difference."
Suellentrop called the 2008 Shootout "very successful," adding that the learning curve for Duggan and the Shootout committee will make a huge difference in planning and execution next August.
"They did a lot of good," he concluded.
While mildly disappointed that this year's event didn't make as much money as last year, Duggan remains unapologetic and enthusiastic.
"I have no regrets, it was a great event," he said. "Also keep in mind that we gave twenty thousand dollars to seven charities that didn't get anything at all last year. We were able to distribute more money to the community than ever before."
He said the goal for the 2009 Lake of the Ozarks Shootout will be to double this year's results. "I honestly believe we can make some changes and reach that goal," he said.

2008 Lake of the Ozarks Shootout distributions
Total donations of $43,500.26
•$22,711.31 to seven lake area fire departments - Sunrise Beach, Gravois, Mid-County, Northwest, Coffman Bend, Osage Beach and Lake Ozark. 
•$20,788.95 to other local charities, including Habitat for Humanity, Laurie Sunrise Beach Rotary, Boy Scouts of America, Community Elks Lodge in Laurie and Red Cross.