Sit with John Cyrus as he talks about his nearly 27-year career with the Missouri Highway Patrol — or his moon shots off a tee box on area golf courses – and his stories are hard to believe.
At one point, he had no choice but to fire on an emu on I-44 in southwest Missouri. At another time, he was confronted by an axe-wielding suspect who stormed off his couch and on to the front porch, only to surrender when Cyrus pointed out that his gun was better than the guy’s axe.
“I’ve been in a few tense situations,” Cyrus will tell you in his slow, Missouri drawl.
Or, ask about his tee shots on the golf course – he turned to the sport years ago as a “stress reliever – and there’s the time a drive traveled a whopping 411 yards, another time when he became the U.S. Senior Long Drive champion and just last year he clobbered a shot an estimated – drum roll, please – 431 yards.
It’s no wonder, then, that those participating in golf fundraisers can’t wait to run into Cyrus, who for years has volunteered his time to help non-profits by serving as a special attraction long-drive smasher.
Thus, the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame is proud to honor Cyrus with its President’s Award, given to individuals who help champion sports in the state and especially the Hall of Fame.
A Mount Vernon resident, Cyrus will be honored during the Baseball Luncheon presented by the Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company, set for 11 a.m. Thursday, May 24 at the University Plaza Hotel & Convention Center. (For tickets, call 417-889-3100).
This year marks Cyrus’ seventh volunteering at the Hall of Fame’s Celebrity Golf Classics and other golf outings, in which teams donate to the Hall in order for Cyrus to launch their tee shots on a designated par-5 hole.
He also supports the PGA Web.com Tour’s Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr Pepper, which is managed by the Hall of Fame staff. The PCCC has gifted more than $14.7 million to Ozarks children’s charities in its 28-year history.
His inspiration? There are a few, including Missouri native and former World Series winner Tom Henke, whose own charity golf tournament has long benefited a children’s center in Jefferson City. Cyrus has been a regular there, too.
“He is a pretty good model to follow,” Cyrus said. “And, when it comes to the PCCC, I know they donate to a lot of different charities. That’s a great deal, and I’m always willing to support it.”
Those close to Cyrus have long known of his kindness. When he played for a Highway Patrol softball team, one of his teams won a tournament. Cyrus successfully urged the team to donate its $1,000 winnings to the widow of a Nebraska police officer killed in the line of duty only weeks earlier.
That was around the time, in 1990, when Cyrus joined the Missouri Highway Patrol. Assigned to Troop D in southwest Missouri, he soon befriended Leon Faucett, the first Ping sales rep in company history and well-known by major golf names.
Faucett ran the Sycamore Valley Golf Driving Range in Mount Vernon and made a positive impression on Cyrus, who graduated from Camdenton High School in 1981 as a four-sport athlete but never played golf.
“I’d go in and just check on him on a regular basis because he’s by himself,” Cyrus said. “But he took care of me and got me started in golf.”
Beginning in 2009, Cyrus qualified six years in a row for the ReMax World Long Drive Competition, finishing in the top 10 on three occasions. His U.S. Senior Long Drive title in 2014 was followed by qualifying three consecutive years for the Golf Channel World Long Drive Championship-Masters Division.
Along the way, he befriended Chris Hamon, CEO of White River Valley Electric Cooperative, through Don Phillips, a state representative. That led Cyrus to being introduced to Jerald Andrews, President & Executive Director of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.
Ever since, Cyrus has enhanced the Hall of Fame’s golf outings. Last year, he crushed a 431-yard drive from the No. 8 tee box at Highland Springs Country Club.
He certainly thanks his wife of 27 years, Bambi, for allowing him his golf time. Over the years, he has volunteered at the Hannibal Regional Hospital’s Shoeless Joe’s Celebrity Golf Tournament, helped launch the Missouri Veterans Home Golf Tournament in Mount Vernon and worked at the Table Rock Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament.
All of which has led to the President’s Award.
“I’m not big on getting awards, so it’s quite an honor,” Cyrus said. “I know there are a lot of other people out there who are more deserving than me.”
………………………………………………….
When: 11 a.m. Thursday, May 24
Where: University Plaza Hotel & Convention Center
Inductees: St. Louis Cardinals Rick Ankiel, the St. Louis Browns Baseball Club, late Glendale High School coach Howard Bell, longtime Centralia High School softball coach Jill Angell as well as Ozark High School baseball coach Mike Essick, the Ozark High School Baseball Program.
President’s Award: John Cyrus of Mount Vernon
Diamond 9 honorees: Clint Anderson (Willard High School, Crowder College & Charleston Southern University baseball), Nolan Fogle (Plato High School baseball & USSSA/ASA/NSA softball), Tina Ruble Helm (Lebanon High School & Southwest Baptist University softball), Jamie Holmes (Republic High School, Crowder College & Columbia College softball), Greg Lindstrom (Glendale High School & University of Missouri baseball), Jarrod Mays (El Dorado Springs High School, Missouri State University, Team USA & Cleveland Indians baseball), Raeven Replogle (Webb City High School & Missouri State University softball), Carlie Rose (Nixa High School, University of Missouri & University of Central Missouri softball) and Blake Wixson (Hillcrest High School & Drury University baseball).
Tables & Tickets: Sponsorship tables of eight are $400 and include an autographed print and recognition in the printed program. A head table ticket is $100, and an individual ticket is $40 in advance, or $50 at the door. Call 417-889-3100.
