The Invitational Shootout

Two-Person Scramble Charity Golf Event

Will 2013 Bring King George The Third?

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KING_GEORGEFew players in the history of The Invitational Shootout can match the performance of George Les. A two-time Shootout Champion and the winner of the inaugural Shootout Wedge Tournament, “King George” has consistently proven himself under the intense pressure on golf’s biggest stage.

Les quickly made an impact in his first tournament, winning the 2007 Invitational Shootout with long-time partner Dominic Dallio. He lost in a playoff in 2008 to the Armstrong brothers and finished second to Kevin “Hammer” Hyland and Dave Neill in 2009. George returned to glory once again in 2011 with an impressive three stroke victory. Les and Dallio finished second last year to 2012 Champions Dan Cerny and Kyle Kickert.

“I think people have a tendency to overlook George because he’s just so consistent” said 2009 Champion Dave Neill. “The guy seems to figure out a way to be in the hunt year after year. His consistency is really quite amazing.”

It’s stunning to measure the incomparable excellence and consistency of George Les’ brief Tournament history. In his six-year career at The Shootout, George has won twice and finished second three times. All told, the team of Dallio and Les are a combined 35 under par since 2007, a jaw-dropping 21 strokes better than any other team.

“I think George really does intimidate a lot of guys in The Shootout to the point where they start pressing immediately” said 2004 Champion Joe Hill. “They know George will be posting birdies from the minute he grabs a club and they feel they have to attempt abnormally difficult shots to match his brilliance. However, they wind up playing themselves out of the Tournament.”

“The guy has finished in the top two just about every time he’s played” said 2004 runner-up Aaron Knight. “He’s obviously proven himself to be the best player out here, so all we can do is try to prevent King George from grabbing his third crown.”

Cerny and Kickert Win 2012 Invitational Shootout

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Dan Cerny and Kyle Kickert overcame a massive field, including six former Champions, to win the 2012 Invitational Shootout at Water’s Edge Golf Club in Worth. This was Cerny’s first appearance in the Shootout and only the second start for Kickert, who paired with Lifetime Achievement Award Winner John Groark in 2011.

Cerny and Kickert used clutch putting and long driving to post an 8-under par 64, defeating second place finishers Dominic Dallio and George Les by four strokes. Cerny drained four putts over 15 feet and the 6’8″ Kickert used his enormous wingspan to consistently drive the ball over 300 yards, leaving short irons into the green for the Champions.

“I’m really proud of Dan’s performance today under such enormous pressure” said Kyle Kickert. “Here’s a guy who’s never faced this kind of intensity and he’s dropping putts from everywhere. Dan’s definitely got ice water in his veins to play at this level on Midwest golf’s biggest stage.”

Fans of the Invitational Shootout were introduced to Kyle Kickert in 2011 when he won the long drive crown with an amazing 347 yard blast. Kickert and Groark finished third last year, losing to Dallio and Les by four strokes.

“Dan and Kyle played really well” said two-time Invitational Shootout Champion George Les. “We didn’t play our best, it’s that simple. However, this won’t happen again. I guarantee that we’ll win next year.”

Senne’s Capture Legend’s Crown

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He’s played in the fourth most Invitational Shootout tournaments and finished second more times than any other player, but for Tom Senne, all he needed was help from his father to become a Shootout Legends division Champion. Father Bob and son Tom Senne partnered together for the first time and brought home the 2012 Legends division title with a score of 1-over par 73. The Senne’s won by three strokes over the team of John Dillon and Ross Fisher, who carded a score of 4-over par 76.

“It’s kind of ironic that I needed my dad’s help to finally win here, after so many close calls over the years” said Tom Senne. “I guess it proves that my dad is still always right and that’s fine with me. He played really well today and allowed me to hit the ball as hard as I could. Who knew we would be such a good team?”

A 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award Winner, Tom Senne finished in second place in the 2007 Invitational Shootout, losing to Dominic Dallio and George Les by one stroke. He was tied for the lead heading to the 18th hole in the 2001 Shootout at Maple Meadows, only to be victimized by a miraculous birdie by eventually champions Walsh and Wolak. At the inaugural Shootout in 1994, Senne and partner Mike Howley finished in second place, two strokes behind Champions Walter Lis and Mike Roach.

“If there’s one thing Senne’s are good at, it’s fighting” said Bob Senne. “We might be down, but we’re never out. We knew that if we could keep making pars and find a birdie or two, we would be alright.”

Hammer Hyland to Join 2012 Shootout Field?

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Multiple sources have indicated that 2009 Invitational Shootout Champion Hammer Hyland is considering participation in the 2012 Invitational Shootout. Widely considered as the most dominant player in the history of the tournament, Hammer has not appeared in the field since winning in 2009. Most experts anticipated Hammer’s return in 2013 for the 20th Annual Invitational Shootout. However, Hammer may be looking for a warm-up event before the major event next year.

Hyland and partner Dave Neill set the all-time record for best score with a ten-under par 62 during their triumphant surprise appearance in 2009. Hyland, a two-time NCAA All-American and Walker Cup finalist, destroyed the formidable Water’s Edge Golf Club with his prodigious power and laser-like short irons. Hyland and Neill’s dominance in 2009 was unprecedented, leading many Shootout teams to adjust their diet and training habits to catch up with the dynamic duo.

As an Invitational Shootout Champion, Hammer Hyland has until Wednesday, May 30th to officially accept his invitation into the 2012 field. If he does decide to participate, there is a good chance the competition committee could pair him with last year’s champions, George Les and Dominic Dallio.

George Les Guarantees Shootout Victory

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Speaking to a group of local leaders, for the third time in the last four years, two-time Champion George Les once again guaranteed victory in this year’s tournament. Winner of the 2007 Invitational Shootout Championship and the 2011 Invitational Shootout Championship, Les and partner Dominic Dallio are prohibitive favorites to win their third set of plaid jackets, becoming the first golfers to win the Shootout three times.

“Dom and I are very excited and very confident about our chances this year” said George Les. “In fact, I think it would be a real shock if we didn’t win our third crown this year. My short game has never been better and Dominic is hitting the ball father than ever. We’ve been at the top of the Shootout Power Rankings since last year and I don’t think anyone else is really close.”

Dallio and Les won last year’s event by shooting a 63, three strokes better than their nearest competitors. Both the second place (Burke/Burke) and the third place (Groark/Kickert) teams will not be in the field this year. The next closest team from 2011 was Vince Cainkar and Mike Howley, a team that finished a distant five strokes behind Dallio and Les.

“George Les is definitely the favorite” said 2004 Invitational Shootout Champion Joe Hill. “But John Eterno and I aren’t going to lay down for anyone.” Two-time Champion Ray Shinkle agreed “Listen, Dom and George are a great team. But they could bring back Hammer Hyland and we’re still not going just give him the trophy. Let’s see what happens on Shootout Saturday.”

Dallio and Les Win 2011 Invitational Shootout

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DALLIO_LESDominic Dallio & George Les overcame a torn contact lense and a torrential downpour to capture the 2011 Invitational Shootout. This was the second title for the team of Dallio & Les, who also won in 2007 when they held off Walter Lis and Tom Senne for a one shot victory.

Dallio & Les started their round quickly, with three birdies in their first five holes. Then catastrophe struck when Dominic accidently tore a contact lense. At nearly the same time, play was halted due to weather, providing a brief window of opportunity for Dallio’s fiancee to arrive with a replacement lense, right before play resumed.

“After we started so well, I couldn’t believe that I had torn my contact lense” said Dallio. “It was the last thing I expected to happen. Thankfully, we were able to call for a replacement during the weather delay and use that time to regroup.”

Despite somewhat soggy conditions after the rain delay, Dallio & Les kept the pressure on and finished with a remarkable 9-under par round of 63. The duo won their first Shootout in 2007 with a 6-under par 66.

George Les Guarantees Victory

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GEORGE LESWith a championship and runner-up finish in only two Tournament starts, it’s easy to see why George Les is confident about his chances at the 2009 Invitational Shootout. He and partner Dominic Dallio are certainly among the favorites to capture the title once again this year.

In fact, George is so confident in his team he has guaranteed victory on June 6th at Water’s Edge Golf Club. “I have no doubt that Dominic and I will once again emerge victorious at The Invitational Shootout” said Les. “We look forward to joining the legendary Ray Shinkle and Walter Lis as the only two-time Tournament Champions.

Armstrongs Win The Shootout

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ARMSTRONGS GOLFDespite threatening weather throughout the day, Shootout rookies Bryan and Brett Armstrong outlasted 2007 Champions Dominic Dallio and George Les to capture the 2008 Invitational Shootout at Waters Edge Golf Course.

The Armstrong brothers vanquished Dallio and Les on the first hole of the sudden death playoff. “We drove all morning from Madison, Wisconsin to play in The Shootout” said Bryan Armstrong. “I just can’t believe we’ll be bringing the trophies back north of the Illinois border.”

This was the third sudden death playoff in Shootout history. The most recent occurred in 2004 when Joe Hill and Walter Lis prevailed on the second playoff hole at Maple Meadows Country Club.

Dallio and Les Win 2007 Invitational Shootout

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Against the largest field in Tournament history, George Les and Dominick Dallio were able to hold off two-time Champion Walter Lis and partner Tom Senne by one stroke along with three other teams to win the 2007 Invitational Shootout at Water’s Edge Golf Club.

Les and Dallio carded a six-under 66 to take home the trophies and the coveted wool jackets in what may be the most competitive Shootout ever. Despite somewhat breezy conditions, a record twelve teams finished under par. The consistent low scoring was a testament to the quality of the largest field in Tournament history.

“George and I were expecting four or five under would win the tournament” said Dominic Dallio. “Thankfully we were able to pick up a couple late birdies because the field this year was exceptionally strong and the scores were lower than we anticipated. George hit a great chip on 18 to seal the deal, so I’m really proud of our performance.”