John Robinson Memorial Golf Tournament

As work began to build the memorial and endowment fund, the committee sought a way to raise money and have fun doing it. One thing that always attracted a large group, that all could participate in, for a sensible price and yielded a good return was Golf, of course... or golf on a course... well, you get the point. Generically, there are more fund raising golf tournaments than any other method and over the course of thirteen years they have proved very effective for the John Robinson Scholarship Fund. Not to mention a favorite excuse for old friends to gather, swap tales and secure bragging rights for another year.

Beginning in 2004, the John E Robinson Scholarship Golf Tournament became the flagship event for fundraising and what became known in LOHS Alumnus circles as the "Robinson Weekend." Scheduled to coincide with Paducah's BBQ-on-the-River event and the John Robinson Breakfast, later the Lone Oak Community Breakfast, the last weekend in September attacked reunions for a number of classes in and beyond the Robinson years.

Playing at Paducah's premiere golf course; Paxton Park, the greens were always beautiful and the course well groomed. Even in the roughest of weather years, not a single event was postponed or cancelled, although it was cart path only many a year. Course manager Danny Mullen was always a gracious host and gave the fund a great deal on fees and carts. Beyond the individual entry fee for playing golf, "Hole Sponsorships" were also sold for a fixed donation. A sign was placed at the greens throughout the course advertising support for the scholarship. Prizes and awards were donated by local businesses and large donations beyond the event were common. It was a time that many alumni far and wide showed their support for the effort.

Beginning in 2007, the Lone Oak Alumni Association added a lunch to the event schedule consisting of hot dogs, chili and all the fixin's. This increased attendance if not the participation as alumni would come to visit for lunch even if not playing golf.

Also in 2007, we began collecting and organizing pictures of the event. A few of those pictures are presented below. We hope you enjoy the memories and thank you for the many years of support. For fear of errors, omissions and embarrassments, we dare not try to identify all participants. If you can correctly identify anyone, send us an email and we'll update the page.

In 2017, the Alumni committee and former JERS Committee members decided NOT to hold another golf event. The 2016 tournament was one of the best ever for donations, with the fund then exceeding $250,000. While many Robinson years alumni still enjoy a time of comradery, we had to face it, we weren't getting any younger. Participation in the event, along with the volunteer staff to produce the event had waned. We relished in the thought that the Robinson memory was and is enshrined in a legacy that will live on well beyond those who knew him. You can't complain about success.