Since the Invitational Shootout was first contested at Water’s Edge Golf Club in 2006, only 17 golfers have experienced victory on the challenging 18-hole layout in Worth, IL. 2017 will mark the 12th time that the Midwest’s premier two-person scramble has been held at Water’s Edge, so it’s only fitting that we turn to the champions for their secrets on how to play this classic Rick Robbins and Gary Koch design.

Hole 1 – 497 yards, par 5
Bryan Armstrong – 2008, 2010 Invitational Shootout Champion
“The first hole was our final hole when we won in 2010. You’ve got to be able to hit a long draw or hit it over the trees on your tee shot in order give yourself a shot at reaching the green in two. In 2010, Brett hit a monster drive that left us with a long iron into the hole. There’s not much danger after the tee shot, so a big drive really gives you a great opportunity to go low on this hole.”

Hole 2 – 368 yards, par 4
Hammer Hyland – 2009 Invitational Shootout Champion
“This is a challenging hole off the tee because the shape of the fairway calls for a slight fade, but the pond on the left makes you want to hit a draw. If you can navigate your tee shot, you’ve also got to be very aware of the multiple tiers in the green. It’s a deceptively large putting surface that requires a little more club than you might think on your approach shot.”

Hole 3 – 120 yards, par 3
Scott Pommo – 2006 Invitational Shootout Champion
“The third hole can play dramatically different depending on the pin placement and the wind. I’ve hit everything from a 7-iron to a sand wedge on this hole. The popular bailout is left, but that leaves a challenging chip shot facing the pond. The common mistake on this hole is to come up a half club short. I try to remind myself to always take the extra club. I’m willing to go a little past the pin since there’s really not a lot of trouble long.”

Hole 4 – 506 yards, par 5
Billy Les – 2013 Invitational Shootout Champion
“The fourth is definitely reachable in two, but you’ve got to get your drive past the bunker on the left and let it release down the fairway. I’ve seen lots of guys just chase their approach shot down the fairway into the green because there’s really no danger in front. Don’t take you foot off the gas on this hole because this is a great place to pick a shot, or two against the competition.”

Hole 5 – 367 yards, par 4
Dan Cerny 2012 Invitational Shootout Champion
“Just like the first hole, the 5th requires a right-to-left draw off the tee. However, if you hit driver and your shot remains straight, you’ll be trapped in the trees beyond the fairway. It’s a classic risk/reward hole that I think really separates the wheat from the chaff in terms of contenders. Don’t be afraid to use the slope of the hill to the right of the green. My partner hit an amazing 8-iron in 2012 into the green that bounced left off the hill onto the green and gave us a great look at birdie.”

Hole 6 – 367 yards, par 4
Paul Manolitsis – 2014 Invitational Shootout Champion
“I like to play this hole in my mind backwards from tee to green. The 6th hole is typically considered somewhat benign, but historically, a par is actually quite acceptable. The green is massive with some significant undulations, which means you’ve got to find the same level that the pin is on or you’ve got no shot at birdie. My secret on this hole is to play ultra aggressive on the tee so you can have a pitching wedge or less for your approach shot.”

Hole 7 – 173 yards, par 3
George Les – 2007, 2011, 2014 Invitational Shootout Champion
“I can always tell who my competition is by how they perform on the 7th hole. With the water on the right and lots of trouble long and left, I’ve seen many guys take the easy way out and come up short left. The real champions won’t be afraid to fire at this pin and deal with the consequences. The green drops off dramatically in the back, so be careful that you hit your shot on the correct part of the green.”

Hole 8 – 367 yards, par 4
Mike Howley – 2006, 2016 Invitational Shootout Champion
“The 8th green is gigantic, even by Water’s Edge standards. There’s a big slope from right to left, so I like to miss left if possible on my approach. This way I know I’ll have an uphill putt.”

Hole 9 – 325 yards, par 4
Dave Neill – 2009 Invitational Shootout Champion
“There’s a massive tree on the right side of the 9th fairway blocks a lot of approach shots from the green. That’s why I favor a right-to-left draw off the tee to keep my partner and I on the left side of the fairway. From there, you’ve got a great view of the green and can afford to be very aggressive. This is a definite birdie if you’ve got a view of the green for your approach.”

Hole 10 – 366 yards, par 4
Kyle Kickert – 2012 Invitational Shootout Champion
“Like the 1st hole, you’ve got to be thinking big off the tee on this hole. When we won 2012, my drive went 326 yards, leaving us a short 40-yard pitch shot. The green slopes back to front and there are a couple bunkers protecting the putting surface. But this is a one of my favorites at Water’s Edge Golf Club because it allows the big hitters like myself to have a pretty significant advantage over our competition.”

Hole 11 – 495 yards, par 5
Billy Les – 2013 Invitational Shootout Champion
“The Invitational Shootout is often won or lost on the 11th hole, primarily because there can be such a large swing in scores. The winners will almost always birdie or eagle this hole, while everyone else loses significant ground. My secret on this hole is to keep your tee shot as close to the water as possible. That scares a lot of golfers, but you’re 30-40 yards closer to the hole from the right side of the fairway than from the left. I really don’t mind missing over the green on my approach shots because the hill in the back typically acts like a backstop. If you’re there, you’ve got a pretty easy chip onto the putting surface.”

Hole 12 – 125 yards, par 3
Brett Armstrong 2008, 2010 Invitational Shootout Champion
“The secret to this hole is really simple… always take an extra club. There’s a big elevation change and the wind seems to always be in your face. It’s also a good idea to be below the hole a bit as the green slopes from back to front. When the greens are rolling 14 on the Stimpmeter during the Shootout, it’s real easy to blow your ball ten feet past the hole when putting downhill.”

Hole 13 – 345 yards, par 4
Dominic Dallio 2007, 2011 Invitational Shootout Champion
“The green complex on the 13th hole is fascinating because it funnels into a bowl on the back, right side of the green. The common miss is long left, which is where all the bunkers are. But the best players know how to avoid the danger zones on the green. There aren’t many red light holes at Water’s Edge Golf Club, but this is definitely one of them. Settle for par and take your chances on the remaining holes.”

Hole 14 – 357 yards, par 4
Rob Garcia – 2013 Invitational Shootout Champion
“You really can’t win this hole off the tee, but you certainly can lose it. Anything left forces you to hit a low hook to the green. My secret is to hit a 3-wood for accuracy down the middle of the fairway. Even if I’m hitting a 7-iron into the green, I’m confident that I can consistently score par or birdie from the fairway. If you’re right or left off the tee, you bring bogie into the equation. At The Shootout, bogies are champion killers.”

Hole 15 – 487 yards, par 5
Bryan Armstrong – 2008, 2010 Invitational Shootout Champion
“15 is the last of the par 5’s and is another great chance to pick up a shot or two on the field. I always pay attention to the pin sheet on this hole because it can dictate your tee shot and approach. If the pin is tucked in the back right, it’s only accessible from the left side of the fairway. That mean’s you’ve got to be a little more aggressive on your first two shots. If the pin is on the left side of the green, you can realistically run your approach right up the fairway. Then you can be a little more conservative on your tee ball.”

Hole 16 – 129 yards, par 3
Paul Manolitsis – 2014 Invitational Shootout Champion
“For my money, this is easily the toughest par 3 at Water’s Edge Golf Club. Like most of the putting surfaces, this green slopes from back to front. Unlike most of the putting surfaces, this green slopes dramatically and can get lightning fast during the Shootout. The approach on the hole is really simple… don’t go long. A downhill putt can be treacherous and a downhill chip from behind the green can be disastrous. I would rather be in the front right bunker than long on this hole.”

Hole 17 – 369 yards, par 4
Hammer Hyland – 2009 Invitational Shootout Champion
“The secret to the 17th hole is to avoid missing the fairway on the right. The right rough can spell trouble because of the trees and the incredibly thick rough. Even if you miss the fairway to the right, you’ve got a pretty simple approach. In my experience a shot in the left rough is typically worth a one-shot penalty.”

Hole 18 – 331 yards, par 4
George Les – 2007, 2011, 2014 Invitational Shootout Champion
“Dominic and I lost the 2008 Invitational Shootout to Bryan and Brett Armstrong in a playoff on the 18th hole. We hit our tee shot left into the trees, while they found the fairway. It’s ironic that the 18th is really one of the only fade tee shots on the course. Almost everything else requires a right-to-left shot. I guess that’s why this is such a great finishing hole. It really makes you adapt in order to become champion.”