Fred. L. Scrutchfield, One of the Most Innovative Golf and Music Event Producers, Dies at Age 76
Scottsdale, Ariz. (PRWEB) March 05, 2016 -- Fred L. Scrutchfield, of Sun City, Arizona, was a renowned event producer and marketing icon. He died at age 76, in Scottsdale, Arizona. Scrutchfield, “Scrutch,” was considered by many to be one of the most innovative and creative golf & music event producers in the country. He had a love affair with golf and events since his collegiate days. His concept of mixing business with pleasure was a recipe that developed thousands of relationships and added millions of dollars to the bottom line of deserving charities. He created, developed and produced more than 30 ongoing special events throughout the United States.
In 1980, he formed SCI Sports & Entertainment Marketing. Some of SCI’s crowning achievements include the creation of The Vinny, the Tennessee Golf Foundation and Country Music Superstar Vince Gill’s Pro-Celebrity Invitational, held in Nashville. The event features golf, music and entertainment and benefits Tennessee Junior Golf. The Vinny celebrated its 20th anniversary where Scrutchfield was honored for his achievements. To date, The Vinny has raised close to $10 million. Additional iconic events are The Celebrity and The DeTour at Grayhawk Golf Club. The golf and music extravaganza featured golf professionals and celebrities and has been hosted by John Michael Montgomery and Phil Mickelson, and country superstar, Toby Keith. Both events brought in nearly $1 million dollars for Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
In 1968, Scrutchfield was recruited as public relations director for renowned musician, Fred Waring. He directed all marketing and promotion for Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians, Waring’s five-star resort, The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort, located in Shawnee-on-Delaware, Pennsylvania and the Fred Waring Music Workshop in Delaware Water Gap, Pennsylvania. He was also responsible for recruiting and staging the NCAA Golf Championship at Shawnee Inn, the “Golf Capital of the East.” He sold the first ever-corporate sponsorship for the NCAA Golf Championship to Pepsi.
Scrutchfield was director of national accounts at Somerset Importers Ltd. in New York City, a division of Norton Simon Inc., importers of Johnnie Walker Scotch and Tanqueray Gin. He led a sales and marketing team, responsible for taking Tanqueray from 50,000 cases a year in sales to 2 million cases a year, and it became the #1 imported gin in less than 10 years. He accomplished this outstanding feat by marketing Tanqueray to the upscale market through sponsorship and sampling at the Bob Hope Desert Classic Golf Tournament, upscale restaurants and private country clubs. He created the Tanqueray Club Manager/Golf Professional Golf Tournament, held as an annual event throughout the United States.
Born May 28, 1939 in Guthrie, Oklahoma, he was the son and only child of the late Helen and F.L. Scrutchfield. In 1983, he married the former Dale Joan Danenberg, who preceded him in death. His first marriage to actress Janice Lynde ended in divorce. He is also survived by his beloved cat, Tucker and many friends.
Scrutchfield attended the University of Oklahoma, majoring in marketing and journalism, served as the sports editor of the university’s newspaper, was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and captain of the golf team.
He was a member of Corte Bella Golf Club in Sun City West, Arizona, the Golf Writers Association of America, and an Honorary Member of the National Cartoonists Society.
Scrutchfield’s life will be celebrated with family and friends at Grayhawk Golf Club on the patio of Phil Mickelson’s “Phil’s Grill” on Saturday, March 19, 2016 from 2 to 4 p.m. Those planning to attend should RSVP to ServicesForFred(at)aol(dot)com.
Graveside funeral services will be held late spring/early summer in Fairfield, Connecticut.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Fred & Dale Scrutchfield to the Arizona Humane Society http://www.azhumane.org/ or the Tennessee Golf Foundation/The Vinny, Located at Golf House Tennessee, 400 Franklin Road, Franklin, TN 37069 http://www.tngolf.org/tennessee-golf-foundation/donate-3104.html?name=E3292&id=1l
Diane Smith, Diane Smith PR, +1 (480) 320-0142, [email protected]
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