Ozarks Profile: Jill Barron

What are some of the things you do for PCCC?

I serve on the executive board for PCCC, which meets once a month to make the decisions for the upcoming tournament. As pro-am coordinator, I am mainly in charge of all off-site pro-ams and volunteers under me. We have eight off-site pro-ams held across the Ozarks and two on-site pro-ams held at Highland Springs. It is hard to explain all the details that go into just getting one pro-am organized each day for 120 participants. Being organized and having lots of lists helps keep it all in check. Each evening we have activities, pairings parties and award dinners.

When did you become involved with the PCCC tournament?

I became involved in the tournament, I believe, in 1992, I was trying to remember how time flies! My sister was working at Highland Springs in the kitchen and told me that the tournament was in need of volunteers. I signed up, but only if I would be in the air conditioning (how silly that was and how far I have come). They assigned me to the player hospitality area for all six days. I sat at the men's locker room door checking credentials. I worked in player hospitality for a few years, and when Jerald Andrews took over as the tournament director, I let him know that I would love to become more involved with the tournament. Shortly after, he invited me to become a member of the board.

What sparked your interest in golf?

I was more interested in volunteering than golf at first, then I met pro golfer Omar Uresti. We became fast friends, and in the next seven years I learned the game of golf watching him play on the PGA Tour and Nationwide Tour. I met my husband, Omar Barron at a golf tournament, too. I was with Omar Uresti at the Texas Open in San Antonio. He introduced me to another player, Anthony Rodriguez, who introduced me to Omar Barron, my future husband, and Omar Abuabara can you even believe there are three Omars in my life? That was five years ago and with both of our friends on tour we are very involved.

Why is helping with this event important to you?

PCCC is so important to me because of our impact on the Ozarks and surrounding communities. The Ozarks is such a wonderful, caring place to live, and the members of our community are so generous. It is hard work, but at the end of the event and we can donate more than $600,000 to help children in need in our community it is all worth it. I attend many other golf events across the country, and I can proudly say PCCC is the No. 1 event from our volunteer force, to the beautiful golf course, to the money we raise.

What's your favorite volunteer memory?

My favorite part every year has to be when we give away the money to the charities. All of the long hours (and) all the hard work (are) so worth it when you see how much of a difference we make to these charities. We donated $614,500 to 35 area children's charities last year. I enjoy and thrive on my ability to help these children.

Tell us about your family.

I was born and raised in Springfield. I graduated from Rogersville High School and currently am attending Southwest Missouri State University to finish my accounting degree. My husband, Omar, and I currently live in Ozark. We have been married almost two years no children yet, but three dogs and two cats.

What are your other pursuits?

We work a lot. I work for my father at Williams Construction as his bookkeeper. I own The Cruise & Travel Connection, and my husband and I in December opened up the Longhorn Grill. When we are not working, we love to travel to golf tournaments, the lake, and we recently purchased a motorcycle so we like to take off on long rides.