McMouw Cup

Big Brothers Retain McMouw Cup

June 9, 2014 by retlaw17

Despite an astonishing improvement over last year’s blowout, the team of Larry McDonnell and Ryan Mouw were unable to come back from an early deficit, losing the McMouw Cup for the second straight year to Mick McDonnell and Ron Mouw. The Big Brothers needed a strong finish to retain the Cup with a three stroke victory over Larry and Ryan.

Both teams showed tremendous progress over last year and both posted their lowest scores in the four-year history of The McMouw Cup. The Younger Brothers last won the Cup in 2012 with a 16-over par score of 88. This year they lost by three with a score of 84.

“I’ve got to give Larry and Ryan a lot of credit” said Mick McDonnell. “They started slowly, but really played their hearts out on the back nine today. It was a lot easier to put these guys away a couple years ago, but they’ve worked hard on their games and are much stronger mentally.”

“It’s always disappointing when you lose the McMouw Cup” said Ryan Mouw. “But I’m really proud of our effort today. I’ve been working on my swing and my approach to the game with my coach, Mike Mandakas over at The Chicago Players Club. Mike and his team have made a huge impact on my game and it showed today. I’m really looking forward to the Flagg Creek Showdown this year.”

Flagg Creek Showdown

June 20, 2013 by retlaw17

Mick McDonnell defeated Ryan Mouw in the inaugural Flagg Creek Showdown Wednesday evening before a large gallery in Countryside. Combatants in the annual McMouw Cup, Mick and Ryan faced each other in a stroke-play format, with McDonnell emerging the victor in a hard-fought match that finished in virtual darkness on the 9th hole.

“Although Ryan had a bit of a rough start, I knew I had to keep the throttle down the entire match in order stay in front” said McDonnell. “He may be down, but he’s really never out, especially in the Flagg Creek Showdown. I hit some really good iron shots on the par three 6th and 8th holes. I didn’t hit as many putts as I wanted, but I’m pretty happy with a score of 50.”

“Taking nothing away from Mick, today just wasn’t my day” said Ryan Mouw. “I felt a bit out of sorts on the range and things never really got better. I had a few mental lapses which cost me, like hitting from the red tees on the second hole. My plan is to take some time away from the game so I can be mentally and physically ready to reclaim the McMouw Cup in 2014.”

Event Photos

Invitational Shootout Opening Ceremonies

May 26, 2013 by retlaw17

The opening ceremonies at the 20th Annual Invitational Shootout will once again feature a salute to previous year’s winners of The McMouw Cup. Last year younger brothers Larry McDonnell and Ryan Mouw outlasted older brothers Mick McDonnell and Ron Mouw by one stroke on the final hole to gain control of the coveted McMouw Cup. Therefore Larry and Ryan will have the honor of hitting the first ball along and vuvuzela serenade.

Take a look at the scenes from the 2012 Invitational Shootout as the master of ceremonies introduces the winners.

Shootout Competition Committee Reviewing EZeeGolf Allegations

April 25, 2013 by retlaw17

On Tuesday, April 23, 2013 the Shootout Competition Committee (the “Committee”) convened an emergency meeting at the behest of the reigning McMouw Brothers Champions, Larry McDonnell and Ryan Mouw. Allegedly, Michael McDonnell, who along with Ron Mouw lost the 2012 McMouw Cup in spectacular fashion, has ordered and plans to compete with a set of EZeeGolf clubs.

Ryan Mouw testified before the Committee and stated, “I have it on good authority that Mick already has purchased these EZeeGolf clubs and has them in the trunk of his car.” Ryan then presented the Committee with the video above that most would view as some kind of joke. “Mick realizes that the Shootout has not specifically banned the use of these clubs and that these may be the only clubs that he (Mick) cannot shank,” stated Larry McDonnell. In his concluding remarks, Ryan Mouw emphatically noted that “Mick McDonnell and Ron Mouw, particularly Mick, will stop at nothing to regain the McMouw Brothers Cup. While the Competition Committee correctly banned the use of deer antler spray, it also must act quickly to ban the use of these sham clubs before a mockery is made of this historic event!”

After several hours of careful deliberation the Competition Committee voted to approve the recommended ban on the use of EZeeGolf clubs during tournament competition. Mick McDonnell and Ron Mouw did not respond to the Committee’s repeated efforts to contact them. It remains unclear whether Mick McDonnell will opt to use the EZee clubs during his upcoming Swingin’ Seniors Golf League at Fresh Meadow Golf Club in Hillside.

Larry and Ryan Win 2012 McMouw Cup

June 9, 2012 by retlaw17

It’s been called the ultimate war of attrition on a golf course. The battle for the 2012 McMouw Cup certainly lived up to that moniker as younger brothers Larry McDonnell and Ryan Mouw outlasted older brothers Mick McDonnell and Ron Mouw by one stroke on the final hole to gain control of the coveted McMouw Cup.

After enduring an entire year of disappointment from losing the inaugural competition between brothers, Larry and Ryan dedicated themselves to improving their games with the hope of victory in 2012. Their efforts were rewarded after sinking the final putt on the 18th hole to preserve the victory.

Both McDonnell brothers were less than 100 percent on Shootout Saturday. Larry McDonnell was afflicted with a digestive virus that left him dehydrated for much of the round and desperately in need of fluids on the final hole. Brother Mick played despite a painful wrist injury that many feared might not allow him compete at all.

“Larry displayed the heart of a champion today” said partner Ryan Mouw. “He was nauseous and weak all day long, but somehow he still managed to hit some great shots and lead us to victory. I’m also really pleased with how we performed under such intense pressure. We didn’t want to lose the Cup the first two years, because it would become even more difficult next year. I’m looking forward to bringing this Cup everywhere I go for the next year.”

Event Photos

Error: the communication with Picasa Web Albums didn’t go as expected. Here’s what Picasa Web Albums said:

Error 404 (Not Found)!!1

404. That’s an error.

The requested URL /data/feed/api/user/golfaid%40gmail.com/album/2012McMouwCup?kind=photo&authkey=Gv1sRgCMW6vJ71_LvnsQE was not found on this server. That’s all we know.

McMouw Cup Behind The Scenes

May 27, 2012 by retlaw17

Competition for the McMouw Cup at the 2012 Invitational Shootout should be at an all-time high. Both teams have spent the past 364 days working on their golf games with the hope of capturing possession of this highly coveted trophy. Here are some behind-the-scenes moments on the driving range as the McMouw Cup competitors prepare for battle.

Has The McMouw Cup Disappeared?

April 30, 2012 by retlaw17

The highly coveted McMouw Cup, which is annually presented to the triumphant McDonnell and Mouw brother combination at The Invitational Shootout, has reportedly vanished. The Cup was awarded to Mick McDonnell and Ron Mouw at the 2011 Shootout and subsequently made numerous public appearances throughout the past year. Then in early April, according to the team of Ryan and Larry, the Cup disappeared from the elder McMouw brothers.

“Ron and Mick proudly displayed the Cup at every public and family gathering they attended” said Mike Howley. “That Cup was definitely becoming a part of their families, I’m shocked that it’s missing.”

“I put together a short list of trophy shops for you, so you can order a new McMouw Cup” teased Ryan Mouw. “I’m sure any any of these will work. Larry and I prefer a new trophy for 2012 anyways.”

Replied 2011 McMouw Cup winner Mick McDonnell, “Ha, I can guarantee few things in life, but I can guarantee that I have lost nothing, period, and that a McMouw cup WILL be present at this year’s tournament…perhaps with revised custody rules.”

Tournament officials have begun their initial investigation and will be interviewing all parties within the next week in advance of the 2012 Invitational Shootout on Saturday, June 2.

McMayhem for 1st McMouw Cup

June 6, 2011 by retlaw17

The grudge match between brothers intensified once again this year as Ron Mouw and Mick McDonnell battled Ryan Mouw and Larry McDonnell, this time for the new McMouw Cup. Both teams started their preparation for this year’s event immediately after the 2010 Invitational Shootout. Their efforts paid off as both teams dramatically lowered their scores.

In the end, it was the confidence and experience of Ron and Mick that led to victory and a full year of ownership of the coveted McMouw Cup. “This was a battle unlike any other” said Mick McDonnell. “There were fireworks out on that course today and they came from both teams. I’ve got all the respect in the world for these guys and we look forward to defending the McMouw Cup for the first time at the 2012 Invitational Shootout.”

Mouw, McDonnell Brothers Clash

May 24, 2009 by retlaw17

For the third consecutive year, brothers will compete against brothers in The Invitational Shootout as Mick McDonnell and Ron Mouw will square off against Larry McDonnell and Ryan Mouw. Both teams have proven they will do anything for a victory and this year should be no exception.

“Competing against my brother and Ryan Mouw makes The Shootout a very special experience for my partner Ron and myself” said Mick McDonnell. “I’ve got nothing but respect for those guys because they play the game the right way, with absolute integrity and class.”