2020 Golf Tournaments

SAU celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Rip Powell Invitational at the Magnolia Country Club on July 24. Over 27 teams joined us for the tournament, and we had more sponsorships from corporate partners, alumni, and friends than ever before.

For the sixth consecutive year, Mustard Seed Wealth Management was our Title Sponsor for the Invitational. In the midst of all COVID restrictions, a golf tournament proved to be a safe and successful event as alumni and friends came together to raise over $30,000 to benefit the Mulerider Football team. To date, the Invitational has raised over $250,000.

Photo by Matthew Wilkins 2020 Check Presentation – Pictured from left to right: SAU President Dr. Trey Berry, Former Mulerider Football Coach Bill Keopple, Director of Athletics Steve Browning, and Founder of the Rip Powell Invitational Mike Waters ’70.

Photo by Matthew Wilkins

(Above) Playing for our Title Sponsor’s team, Mustard Seed Wealth Management, was, pictured left to right, Bob Buck, John Stevens, Adam Pinner, and Dalton Smith. (Right) Amongst 27 teams, Jimmy Mohr (pictured on the left) with teammate, Patrick O’Neill, had the best score of the day with a 53. The inaugural Murphy USA Mulerider Club Invitational replaced the festivities of the El Dorado Boomtown Classic this fall as 32 teams joined together to support all 14 athletic programs for Mulerider Athletics at Mystic Creek Golf Club in El Dorado. Highlighted by the generosity and support of Murphy USA as the Title Sponsor for the event, sponsors, alumni, and friends came together to raise over $38,000 to benefit current and future student-athletes through the Mulerider Club.

Photo by Matthew Wilkins (Above) Murphy USA Team 1, at the iconic Hole 12 at Mystic Creek Golf Club. Pictured left from right Will Hegi, Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives Matthew Shepherd, Murphy USA Vice President and General Counsel John Moore and SAU President Dr. Trey Berry.

Photo by Matthew Wilkins (Above) 2020 MUSA MC Check Presentation – Pictured left to right are SAU Associate Director of Development Jackson McCurdy; Murphy USA Vice President and General Counsel John Moore; SAU President Dr. Trey Berry; SAU Director of Athletics Steve Browning; and SAU Vice President for Advancement Josh Kee.

The tournament featured a Grab and Go Lunch provided by SAU Alumnus, Donnie Clayton ‘87, Owner of Main Street Pizza, in downtown El Dorado. Donnie’s generosity in being the official lunch sponsor for the event influenced the success of the tournament. It allowed participants to grab their lunch as they finished or as they were heading out to start the course.