Mick McDonnell

Top Ten Greatest Moments in Shootout History

May 30, 2025 by retlaw17

In the history of The Invitational Shootout, 900+ golfers have hit over 190,000 golf shots and 36 men have been crowned Champion. Here are the ten moments widely considered to be the greatest in Shootout history.

10. Russelberg sinks 55-foot putt on second hole of sudden death playoff to win in 2000.

The 2000 tournament, which was the only event that was rescheduled due to rain, was contested at Prairie Bluff Golf Course in Romeoville. The tournament also featured a sudden death playoff between the teams of Brian Jones and John Russelberg and Walter Lis and Roger Yaffe.

With a large gallery in tow, both teams parred the 413-yard par four opening hole of the playoff. The second hole is a 369-yard dogleg left to a raised green. Lis and Yaffe found the green on their approach and were left with a 25-foot putt for birdie, while Jones and Russelberg faced a 55-foot snake with multiple breaks.

Prairie Bluff – Second Hole

Jones’ attempt missed left, but provided John Russelberg with an easy teach to correctly see the undulations. Russelberg sank the clutch bomb for birdie and neither Lis nor Yaffe were able to answer, leaving Jones and Russelberg to celebrate their incredible sudden death triumph.

9. Pat Walsh drives 300-yard 18th hole for the victory in 2001.

After nearly five hours of back and forth battle, the teams of Pat Walsh and Chris Wolak and Tom Senne and Walter Lis were tied and playing in the same foursome with a single hole left in the 2001 Shootout. Senne and Lis hit first and found the fairway on the 305-yard par four 18th hole at Maple Meadows.

After Wolak hit his tee shot, Pat Walsh pulled a driver from his bag and aimed for a narrow strip of landing area near the front of the green. No previous teams had even attempted to hit the green off the tee that day, but Walsh threw caution to the wind and hit one of the most remarkable drives in Shootout history. His tee shot stopped just short of the green, allowing Walsh and Wolak to convert the birdie and steal the coveted green jackets once again from the four-time runners up, Lis and Senne.

8. Marziani and Murnane become first team to win two titles in 1998.

With the tournament celebrating its fifth anniversary, The Invitational Shootout made its first visit to Maple Meadows Country Club in 1998. The defending champion Maione brothers were unable to return to defend their crown, but the 1996 champions, Mike Marziani and Mark Murnane were on hand to demolish the competition at the event’s new home. With the victory, Marziani and Murnane became the first team to win The Shootout twice, a record that has been tied four times. However, no team has won three titles.

7. Armstrong’s defeat Les/Dallio on first hole of a sudden death playoff to win their first of two titles.

In the the third sudden death playoff in Shootout history, 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 brothers would win again in 2010, this time defeating Joe Hill and John Eterno by three strokes.

6. Mickey McDonnell overcomes a severe wrist injury to win the 2012 McMouw Cup.

Perhaps no moment in Shootout history was as inspiring as Mickey McDonnell’s determination and incredible pain threshold in 2012. Faced with a severe wrist injury, tournament organizers were shocked to learn that McDonnell would attempt to play. McDonnell had refused to seek medical attention for the wrist for fear that the doctors would not allow him to compete.

After struggling with a bulky wrist sleeve on the practice range, Mick discarded the brace on the first tee and proceeded to play the round of his career, leading his partner Ron Mouw to an improbable McMouw Cup victory over Ryan Mouw and Larry McDonnell.

Mick McDonnell warming up his injured wrist.

5. Joe Hill chips in on second hole of a sudden death playoff to win in 2004.

After losing to Ray Shinkle the previous year in a sudden death playoff, the golf gods smiled on Joe Hill after he learned his long-time partner, John Eterno, would be unavailable for the 2004 Shootout. As luck would have it, 1994 Champion Walter Lis was available and the duo clicked immediately, leading the tournament by four strokes after the first nine holes.

After sinking a 75-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole, Lis made another improbable birdie on the 18th to catapult their team into a playoff with Aaron Knight and Mike Kroening. Hill and Lis were no strangers to sudden death playoffs, both losing in their previous attempts. However, their luck would change on the second hole of the sudden death playoff as Joe Hill would sink a 45-foot chip from just off the green for the victory in one of the most thrilling moments in Shootout history.

Joe Hill and Walter Lis win their jackets.

Joe Hill reacts to his championship chip.

4. Ace Troy cards the only hole-in-one in Shootout history in 2006.

With one swing of his trusty 9-iron, Mike Troy became the first player in Shootout history to card a hole-in-one, acing the 130-yard 12th hole in 2006. Tournament officials estimate that over 172,000 golf shots have been attempted throughout the 24 year history of The Shootout. In that time, only Mike Troy has been able bag an ace.

Ace Troy holds the hole in one flag.

3. Ray Shinkle becomes first man to defend his title in 2003.

Since his first appearance in the Shootout in 2002, Ray Shinkle has earned the reputation as the greatest ball striker in tournament history. The “Predator” won in his first appearance with partner Jeff Fernstrom in 2002 and again in 2003 with partner Brian Donley. Of the 36 men to win the Shootout since 1994, only Shinkle has been able to defend the title. To further cement his Shootout legacy, Shinkle would capture his third crown in 2016, joining King George Les as the only two players to win three Shootout crowns.

Ray Shinkle

2. George Les becomes first player to win five titles in 2023.

No player has been as consistent in the history of the tournament as George Les, winner of the 2007, 2011, 2014, 2018 and 2023 Invitational Shootouts. King George has finished in the top five in 10 of the 12 events that he’s competed in and even won the 2012 Shootout Wedge Tournament.

His 2023 victory was his fifth triumph. He won three with partner Paul Manolitsis and two with longtime partner Dominic Dallio.

King George Les with Ray Shinkle and Mike Howley

1. Hammer Hyland and Dave Neill become the first team to finish double digits under par.

There was great anticipation before the 2009 Invitational Shootout as one of the largest and strongest fields in Shootout history prepared for battle. Although there were 12 current or former champions in the field, it was a previously unknown team that would dominate the event like never before, shaking The Shootout to its core. Kevin “Hammer” Hyland and Dave Neill showed up at Water’s Edge with little fanfare and left with a legacy that has never been matched.

Hammer Hyland and Dave Neill

The two men lapped the field early, making victory a foregone conclusion before the start of the back nine. The only remaining question was answered on the 18th green with their final birdie, allowing the duo to become the first team finish to -10, a mark most felt would never be achieved.

Your Favorite Shootout Moments

May 18, 2025 by retlaw17

Recently we interviewed some of the Shootout greats to collect their favorite moments from the past 30 years. Although their experiences vary, they all share a passion and love for the most respected two-person golf scramble in the Midwest.

Joe Hill – Although winning the Shootout in 2004 with Walter Lis was amazing, I think my favorite Shootout moment was the previous year when John Eterno and I faced Ray Shinkle and Brian Donley in a playoff. Although we lost, John and I had a great time playing in front of the huge crowd that watched us compete on the 18th hole at Maple Meadows. Obviously our downfall was when we both lost our tee balls in the woods to the right. However, we still were able to chase a shot onto the green, forcing Ray to hit a clutch putt for the victory.

Shane Hennessy-York – People always ask me what it was like to win the 2015 Invitational Shootout. I tell them it was obviously a dream come true and something that I will always be grateful for. However, I think my favorite moment was actually competing for the first time in 2014 with my partner that year, Joe Schley. I had heard so much discussion around the office in the months leading up to the Invitational Shootout that I really didn’t know what to expect. We played well that year, but I’m sure the pressure of the moment certainly kept us from achieving our full potential that year.

Tom Jemilo – My favorite Shootout moment was receiving the invite to actually play in the event for the first time in 2015. Matt Grant and I played against Greg DiBona and Tom Lang in a Shootout qualifier that year. We took a quick lead, but eventually the experience of the DiBona and Lang was just too much for Matt and I. As we sat dejectedly the parking lot after the round pondering our future, I questioned whether we would every get the opportunity to play in the most respected two-person scramble in the Midwest. When I heard the news that we received an exemption and would be allowed to compete in the 2015 Invitational Shootout after all, I was filled with joy. That was one of the best moments of my life.

Mick McDonnell – My favorite Shootout moment was definitely winning the first McMouw Cup in 2011. When Ron and I beat Larry and Ryan back then, there basically were no rules. The competition was in its infancy, which meant we could do just about anything to try and throw off the competition. Over the years we used all sorts of noise makers and projectiles, including fireworks to gain an advantage. Ryan and Larry also turned the tables on us plenty of times, so I have no regrets whatsoever.

George Les – After winning in 2007 and 2011 with Dominic Dallio, I was incredibly proud to win in 2014 with Paul Manolitsis. I became the first three-time Invitational Shootout champion and I proved I could do with different partners. Although Dom and Paul are both great players, they’re also very different. I’m excited for the opportunity to get my sixth win, this time with a new partner. I think a lot of guys are going to be surprised when we’re wearing those beautiful jackets this year.

Hammer Hyland – Although Ry and I have only played in one event so far, the 2009 Invitational Shootout at Water’s Edge was a blast. Ry and I could both hit the ball a country mile at that point in our careers, so we decided to play super aggressive and challenge every green and every pin possible. We reached all the Par 5’s in two that day and basically overpowered the golf course. We had so much fun testing ourselves in such a highly respected event.

Tom Senne – Certainly playing with my dad was great and winning the Legends Division multiple times is something I’m really proud of. But I think my favorite memory was competing in the first Invitational Shootout back in 1994. I don’t think anyone had an idea of how big this event would eventually become when we all met at The Links at Carillon before the start of the first Shootout. Competing as a two-person team was a hit right away, and I loved the feeling of fighting for the first title as we reached the 18th hole. Although Mike Howley and I came up a bit short, it was definitely an amazing experience.

PGA Tour’s Zurich Classic Follows Shootout Format

April 19, 2025 by retlaw17

As the top players on the PGA Tour compete this weekend in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, fans watching on national TV will be treated to an excitingly different for professional tournament golf. In what started at the 1981 Walt Disney World National Team Championship, two-person teams compete in New Orleans to become Zurich Classic champions.

Although this format is unique to most viewers, fans of The Invitational Shootout have enjoyed the non-stop excitement of two-person teams since the Tournament debuted in 1994. 29 times The Shootout has crowned the top two-person golf scramble in the Midwest. Now the PGA Tour uses the same recipe that Shootout fans have become accustomed to since Mike Roach and Walter Lis won the inaugural event at the Links at Carillon in 1994.

“I’ll be honest” said Shootout Competition Committee Chairman and 2004 Champion Joe Hill. “I’m not surprised the PGA Tour followed our lead and used the same rules, structure and format that we’ve perfected over the years. The Shootout pioneered this type of event and it’s actually quite flattering to see the PGA Tour is now using everything we created.”

“Make no mistake, the Zurich Classic has a long way to go before it can match The Invitational Shootout” said Lifetime Achievement Award winner Mick McDonnell. “It’s nice to see Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry on the same team, but do you think they could compete with our champions? I seriously doubt it. A two-person scramble is an entirely different beast and typically takes years for golfers to learn how to excel in this type of format.”

In addition to defending champions McIlroy and Lowry, top teams this week in the Zurich Classic include Aaron Rai and Sahith Theegala, Thomas Detry and Robert MacIntyre, Collin Morikawa and Kurt Kitayama, Victor Perez and Matthieu Pavon, and Canadians Adam Hadwin and Nick Taylor. How would some of these teams measure up to the best teams at The Invitational Shootout?

“Obviously we would be happy to host any of the teams from the Zurich Classic at the Invitational Shootout” said Joe Hill. “However, just because they’re PGA Tour players doesn’t mean they would automatically be wearing wool jackets in the Champions Ring of Honor. I’ll guarantee that a living legend like King George Les wouldn’t be even slightly intimidated by Rory or Collin Morikawa.”

Whether Zurich Classic teams would do well against the Shootout’s best is still unknown. What we do know is the Invitational Shootout will continue to break new ground as the premier two-person scramble golf tournament in the Midwest.

Les/Manolitsis Win 2023 Invitational Shootout

June 9, 2023 by retlaw17

George Les made tournament history on Friday, June 9, 2023, as he clinched his unprecedented fifth title at the Invitational Shootout golf tournament. Les, along with partner Paul Manolitsis, demonstrated an exceptional performance that led them to a decisive three-shot victory over Mike Howley and Ray Shinkle at a challenging George Dunne National Golf Club in Oak Forest, IL.

This event marked Les’ third victory with Manolitsis, solidifying their standing as the greatest pairing in the history of the event. Demonstrating an unprecedented display of shotmaking skill and precision, the duo recorded an impressive score of 9-under par 63.

This victory reinforces George’s reputation as the most accomplished player in the history of the Invitational Shootout. His five titles only trail Walter Lis Jr’s overall record of six – two Primary division wins and four Legends division wins.

“It’s become hard to quantify how great George Les is” said 2004 Shootout Champion Joe Hill. “Just when you think you’ve seen it all, George takes another gigantic step towards greatness. I’m not sure that we’ll ever see another like him.”

The latest triumph underscores Les’ consistent excellence and his aptitude for performing under pressure. Known as ‘King George’ in the circuit, Les continues to reign supreme over the tournament, living up to his moniker.

“How George Les continues to perform at this insanely high level is truly remarkable” said Lifetime Achievement Award winner Mick McDonnell. “Every year we think the next generation of young guys who hit the ball 300 yards is going knock King George off his throne. They way he dominated this year, I’m not sure we’re going to see his demise any time soon.”

2023 Shootout Recap

The 2023 Invitational Shootout witnessed another chapter of Les’s winning legacy. His determination and knack for seizing victory, shown throughout his participation over the years, was on full display once again, confirming his status as a true golfing titan.

Father/Son Repeat as Legends Division

Walter Lis Jr. and Walter Lis Sr. shot an even par round of 72 to vanquish a strong group of competitors for a three stroke victory in the Invitational Shootout Legends Division. Rich Burke and Bob Faxel finished three strokes back in second place.

Could Hammer Hyland Be Preparing a Comeback in 2018?

March 16, 2018 by retlaw17

After the record-breaking performance in 2016 by the team of Shane Hennessy-York and Greg Smith, it was a forgone conclusion that the Shootout’s best teams would be gunning for the champions. But few expected an Invitational Shootout legend would resurface after a nine-year hibernation.

Speaking through his Twitter account, former Champion Kevin “Hammer” Hyland mentioned a possible return to the Invitational Shootout for the first time since his 2009 triumph with partner Dave Neill. Universally recognized as the most dominant Champion in tournament history, Hyland has competed only once in the Invitational Shootout.

In 2015, Hennessy-York and Smith finished 11 under par to win by three strokes over Derek Cook and Steve Jandernoa. The winning score of 61 broke the previous record of 62, set by Hyland and Neill in 2009.

“I’ll be honest, I really don’t know what to think.” said Shane Hennessy-York. “If The Hammer plays this year, great. As far as I’m concerned, he’s making a big mistake by trying to capture his glory days. The Shootout has changed because the quality of player has gone up exponentially since Hammer’s day.”

HAMMER HYLAND

Not surprisingly, most long-time players don’t share Hennessy-York’s bravado. “Make no mistake, Hammer Hyland is a game-changer” said 2004 Champion Joe Hill. “He could literally smash Hennessy-York and use him as a tee. The Hammer should be respected, not challenged.”

“Do I think Hammer Hyland could come back and destroy the field like he did in 2009? Absolutely.” said Mick McDonnell. “Look, nine years away from competition is a long time for most of us… but not The Hammer. He’s a freak of nature who can overpower any golf course at any time.”

“Hammer’s Instagram account is loaded with his feats of strength swinging a golf club” said Tom Senne. “If you’re playing in the Shootout, you better take note because he’s still an incredibly dominant player. I’m not afraid of The Hammer, but I certainly respect the man.”

2017 Invitational Notebook

June 3, 2017 by retlaw17

ron and mick

McDonnell/Mouw Win Grudge Match Over Boyle/Scanlon

There have been countless collapses over the course of 24 years in the Invitational Shootout, but perhaps none more epic than the performance of John Boyle and Tom Scanlon on Saturday at Water’s Edge. Tied after 15 holes in their match with Mickey McDonnell and Ron Mouw, Boyle and Scanlon posted scores of 12, 10 and 11 on the first, second and third holes at Water’s Edge.

Both teams shot three over par 39 on their first nine holes and were tied leading up to their 16th hole of the day, which was the par 5 first hole. McDonnell/Mouw carded a double bogey seven while their opponents somehow posted a 12. Even more inexplicable, Boyle and Scanlon finished with and 8 over par 11 on the 92-yard par three 3rd hole.

“It was a shocking finish to what was a close and compelling match for the first 15 holes” said Mick McDonnell. “John and Tom were playing well and giving us all we could handle and then all of a sudden, they just checked out.”

“I told Ron ‘I still haven’t found what I’m looking for’ with my swing. His response was ‘we’re going to win – with our without you’, so just continue to bullet the blue sky and hit your drives where the streets have no name”.

See the 2017 Invitational Shootout Final Results

Sennes

Senne’s Repeat for Super Legends Title

For a team with nothing left to prove, the Senne’s certainly don’t play like they’re lacking in motivation. Father and son duo Bob and Tom Senne captured their second consecutive Super Legends Championship, shooting an even par round of 72.

With a steady foundation built on finding the fairway with the drives of Bob Senne, son Tom was more than happy to hit a trifecta of amazing putts that were over 30 feet in length. Bob added to the spectacular shot making by nearly holing out from 125 yards on the 17th hole.

“I guess we’re used to grinding out the best score possible” said Tom Senne. “Some of the shots we hit today were ridiculous. There’s really no other way to describe them. But that’s just how we compete. When my dad hit the pin on 17, it was a tough break because that ball could have easily dropped. But I’m glad it didn’t hurt us and I’m really happy to bring home another Super Legends division title.”

LEN

Legends Return

After falling to Andy Bell and Seamus Ryan last year, Len Piersialla and Dan Ricci won the 2017 Invitational Shootout Legends Division Championship, two years after first winning in 2015. The team of Piersialla and Ricci have competed in every event since the Shootout came to Water’s Edge in 2006.

The come from behind victory on Saturday was a pleasant surprise for both team members. “If you would have asked me whether we could win the Legends Division Title after the first few holes, I would have laughed” said Len Piersialla. “We got off to a shaky start, but we stuck to our plan and found a way to get it done.”

“Wins don’t come easy at the Shootout” said Dan Ricci. “I’m just lucky to have a terrific partner who is willing to put it all on the line every year in the biggest two-person golf scramble in the Midwest”.

Hennessy-York and Smith Drop The Hammer

June 8, 2015 by retlaw17

2015 Champions Throughout the history of the Invitational Shootout, every great team has been compared to the gold standard performance, which occurred in 2009 when Hammer Hyland and Dave Neill destroyed the field and rewrote the record books with what many consider the most dominating performance in Shootout history. That comparison will no longer be necessary as a new gold standard was set at the 2015 Invitational Shootout by a team many consider to be the heir apparent to The Les Dynasty.

On a beautiful, sunny day at Water’s Edge Golf Club, the team of Shane Hennessy-York and Greg Smith finished 11 under par to win the 22nd Annual Invitational Shootout by three strokes over Derek Cook and Steve Jandernoa. The winning score of 61 broke the previous record of 62, set by the legendary team of Kevin “Hammer” Hyland and Dave Neill in 2009.

The Hennessy-York and Smith scorecard featured one eagle and 10 birdies along with a single bogey. After posting a four under par 32 on the front nine, Shane and Greg turned up the heat with a sizzling 29 on the final nine.

Their lone eagle occurred on the par 5, 15th hole, which ironically provided a bit of disappointment for the powerful duo. “We probably should have had at least one more eagle out there today” said Shane Hennessy-York. “We both just missed another eagle putt and had decent chances on a couple other holes.”

The Champions followed their eagle on the 15th with a birdie on the difficult 150-yard par 3 16th hole on the strength of a spectacular shot by Greg Smith that would earn the young superstar the closest to the pin award. Smith’s incredible shot finished just a few feet from the hole. The duo would go on to birdie the 17th hole, capping a stretch of four consecutive holes which they handled in five under par.

“This type of performance not only re-wrote the record books, I think it really changed the future of the Tournament” said 2004 Champion Joe Hill. “Shane and Greg winning the Shootout is obviously impressive, but to destroy a field that had nine former Champions including the GOAT, George Les, is amazing. But to beat the records set by The Hammer, that’s insane.”

“I’m not sure we’ll ever see a performance like this again” said Mick McDonnell. “These two guys came in here and destroyed a field that was stacked with killers. I think we all felt the Hammer’s performance would never be eclipsed, at least in our lifetimes. This changes everything.”

Shootout Introduces Super Legends Division

May 30, 2015 by retlaw17

The Invitational Shootout competition committee is introducing the Super Legends Division, which will be open to teams with a minimum combined age of 120. The new division will be contested for the first time this year at the 2015 Invitational Shootout.

With this announcement, there will now be three different divisions open for qualifying competitors at The Shootout – the Super Legends Division, the Legends Division and the Full Field. Teams that qualify for the Super Legends or Legends Division are still eligible to win the Full Field Championship.

This new division is the first such change from the Competition Committee since 2006, when the Legends Division was first introduced. The Tournament moved to Water’s Edge Golf Club that year and the first Legends winners were Bill Stanley and Victor Tocwish.

In 2007, the team of Bob Barasa and John Groark shot a five under par 67 to win the Legends Division title. They finished just one stroke behind the overall Tournament winners, an almost unthinkable feat until that year.

“The Competition Committee unanimously voted to introduce the Super Legends Division primarily because so many great teams are now in that age range” said 2004 Shootout Champion Joe Hill. “We’ve worked very hard over the years to attract and cultivate some of the top players who are 60+, so it only makes sense to create an entirely new division that showcases their talents.”

“I think there will definitely be some crossover between divisions because a lot of these teams that are 120+ can really play” said Competition Committee member Mick McDonnell. “I think something like Barasa and Groark in 2007 could occur again, especially since the top level teams have become so strong.”

All teams will be required to submit a total age at the scorers table before the start of the tournament. Teams with a combined age between 110-119 will qualify for The Legends Division and the Full Field title. Teams with a minimum combined age of 120 will qualify for all three Shootout divisions.

Probationary Qualifying Exemptions Announced

May 21, 2015 by retlaw17

The Invitational Shootout Competition Committee recently announced four special probationary qualifying exemptions into the field for the 2015 event. Both teams that were awarded exemptions did not qualify initially, but were given special status based on appeal.

The two teams that have received 2015 Shootout invitations are Ken Dorsey/David Lesinger and Matt Grant/Tom Jemilo. Dorsey/Lesinger lost their qualifying match at Flagg Creek Golf Course and Grant/Jemilo came up short at Palos Municipal Golf Course.

Special probationary exemptions have been granted annually to teams the Competition Committee classifies as “solid candidates” for improvement. Notable teams to receive qualifying exemptions include Jutkins/Ellis in 2004, Slinkman/Slinkman in 2008 and the 2012 Champions Dan Cerny & Kyle Kickert.

“Every year we see a lot of really good teams fail to qualify for The Shootout” said Competition Committee member Joe Hill. “Many of these teams are good enough to compete in the big tournament, but they either have a bad day during qualifying or they just make too many mistakes under pressure.”

“We’re always looking to improve the quality of the field, so we typically try to identify a couple teams each year that show enough potential to eventually become cornerstone teams at the top of the leaderboard. It’s really quite an honor to get picked. We often see these exempted teams perform really well because they practice their butts off to prove they belong in the best two-person golf scramble in the Midwest.”

Although Dorsey/Lesinger and Grant/Jemilo will now be in the field for the 2015 Invitational Shootout, they will have to earn their way back to Waters Edge in 2016 by posting a lower score than the previous year’s McMouw Cup Champions. The 2014 McMouw Cup winners were Mick McDonnell and Ron Mouw, who posted an 81 last year to win the Cup.

“Dave and I couldn’t be happier to finally accomplish our dream of playing in the Invitational Shootout” said probationary qualifier Ken Dorsey. “I grew up idolizing the legends of this event like Hammer Hyland and George Les. I guarantee you no one will be working harder over these next two weeks to be ready for the tournament. On June 6, we’re definitely going to beat Mick and Ron and earn our invitation for many Shootouts to come.”

Invitational Shootout Qualifiers Face Long Odds

May 10, 2015 by retlaw17

As qualifying rounds begin this week, the Tournament future of dozens of Shootout hopefuls hangs in the balance. First conducted before the 1999 event, the purpose of the qualifying rounds is to give golfers of all skill levels the opportunity to earn an invitation into the Midwest’s most popular two-person scramble event.

In order to compete in any of the first five Shootouts, participants received an invitation directly from the Tournament Competition Committee. Golfers were selected based on their performance in other local events. Although this meant The Shootout would feature most of the top players in the area, many high-quality golfers were unable to make it into the field.

To help grow the Tournament and widen the competitive base, the Invitational Shootout Qualifying process was established. Since its introduction, seven Shootout champions have earned their way into the field by qualifying.

“I remember before our first Shootout at Maple Meadows back in 1999” said 2004 Champion Joe Hill. “John and I had to qualify to get invited and The Competition Committee was a little concerned whether we would be skilled enough to play. Both John and I played nine holes with a Shootout Committee member following us. Although I can’t remember the score, we didn’t have too much trouble making the cut.”

Although there were two qualifiers in 1999, Joe Hill and John Eterno were the only players to make the cut. The next year The Shootout had three times the number of players looking to qualify, so three different events were conducted. The three qualifiers were hosted at Flagg Creek Golf Course, Palos Municipal and River Bend in Woodridge.

Probably the most embarrassing qualifier was 2010 when Dave Hyland and Kevin Neill played their qualifying round at The Links at Carillon. No one knew that both Hyland and Neill played college golf until they hit their first shots. “Hammer” Hyland nearly drove the 330-yard first hole on the White Course. Hyland/Neill would go on to the set the all-time low scoring record in the 2009 Shootout. From that point on, players with scratch handicaps or better were no longer required to qualify.

This year’s qualifying rounds are expected to attract some of the best players in the Chicagoland area. With 2015 Shootout registrations at an all-time high, Tournament officials expect as few as four spots will be available to qualifiers.

“I’m working with a number of young players at Fresh Meadow Golf Club to help them get ready for their Shootout qualifiers” said McMouw Cup Champion Mick McDonnell. “With only a few qualifying spots available I feel bad for a lot of these guys who have been working on their game throughout the offseason.”