The Invitational Shootout

Two-Person Scramble Charity Golf Event

2017 Invitational Notebook

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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”.

Probationary Qualifying Exemptions Announced

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2015_EXEMPTIONSThe 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.”

Big Brothers Retain McMouw Cup

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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.”

Shootout Competition Committee Reviewing EZeeGolf Allegations

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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

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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

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McMouw Cup Behind The Scenes

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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?

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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

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MCMOUW_CUPThe 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

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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.”