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
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.”
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”.