John Scrutchfield

Scrutchfield is a world-renowned event producer and marketing icon. He was known for his innovative approach to sports and entertainment events.

During his career, he created and developed numerous successful golf & music events that raised millions of dollars for deserving charities. Some of these iconic events include The Vinny, Vince Gill’s Pro-Celebrity Invitational and the DeTour at Grayhawk Golf Club.

Early Life and Education

John Scrutchfield was born on May 28, 1939 in Guthrie, Oklahoma. He was the son of Helen and Fred L. Scrutchfield and married Dale Joan Danenberg in 1983.

He attended the University of Oklahoma and was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He served as a sports editor for the school’s newspaper, and was a captain of the golf team.

In 1980, he formed SCI Sports & Entertainment Marketing, a company that produces a number of iconic golf and music events. Some of the more notable include The Vinny, a Nashville golf event hosted by country superstar Vince Gill. Another was the Celebrity, a golf tournament held at Grayhawk Golf Club that featured celebrities and professionals alike.

Professional Career

John Scrutchfield had a professional career in marketing, publicity and public relations. He is a well-known event producer and a leader in the sports and entertainment industry. He developed and created many events that brought millions of dollars to deserving charities.

He was a founding member of the Golf for Women National Club Championship. He also was a director of the Fred Waring Music Workshop. He founded the Tanqueray Club Manager/Golf Professional Golf Tournament and was responsible for the sales of Tanqueray to upscale restaurants and private country clubs.

He served as a neurosurgeon and is affiliated with several hospitals in the area, including UT Health Tyler. He treats disorders of the brain, skull, pituitary gland, meninges and spinal cord. He uses minimally invasive surgery and neuroradiology imaging like CT, MRI, PET and MEG.

Achievements and Honors

John Scrutchfield was a savvy marketer who led the charge in marketing a bottle of Tanqueray Gin to an upscale audience. The company’s gin and tonic became the top selling imported gin in less than a decade.

He also conceived and produced several notable events. Among them, he was responsible for the creation of The Vinny, the Tennessee Golf Foundation and Country Music Superstar Vince Gill’s Pro-Celebrity Invitational.

He is best known for his efforts in event production and marketing. A pioneer in his field, he formulated the idea of mixing business with pleasure and helped to produce more than 30 ongoing special events throughout the United States. He also won several awards for his innovative efforts. The illustrious namesake is credited with helping to raise millions of dollars for deserving charities and other worthy causes.

Personal Life

john scrutchfield is a neurosurgeon who is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including UT Health Tyler and Christus Mother Frances Hospital-Jacksonville. He received his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years.

He treats patients who have disorders of the brain, spine, meninges and spinal cord. He also provides minimally invasive surgery and neuroradiology imaging.

He was married three times, first to Lydia Ann “Liddie” Reynolds on August 3, 1873 in Macon County, Missouri. They divorced in 1898 and remarried in 1911. Afterwards, they had a rocky marriage until he died in 1925. He was buried at the Scrutchfield Cemetery in Macon County. He was survived by his children. Several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.