Arthur Bidwill and Tyler Troha Capture Inaugural Connolly Cup
For decades, the McMouw Cup has served as one of The Invitational Shootout’s most beloved side competitions, pitting members of the McDonnell and Mouw families against one another in a tournament-within-the-tournament. The bragging rights are immense, the trash talk is relentless, and possession of the Cup is earned one year at a time.
Now, the Shootout has a new family rivalry.
On June 5, 2026, Arthur Bidwill and Tyler Troha etched their names into history by winning the first-ever Connolly Cup at George W. Dunne National Golf Course.
And they did it in style.
Competing against three other teams made up of members and friends of the extended Connolly family, Bidwill and Troha fired a remarkable 68 to claim the inaugural championship. Their score was not only enough to win the Connolly Cup—it was good enough for second place overall in the entire 2026 Invitational Shootout field.
Not a bad day’s work.
The idea for the Connolly Cup was born from the success of the McMouw Cup. With so many members of the Connolly family and their close friends participating in the Shootout, it seemed only fitting that they have a championship of their own to contest annually.
The inaugural field featured eight players divided into four teams:
* Arthur Bidwill and Tyler Troha – 68
* Eric Combs and Bob Connolly – 73 (+1)
* Mark Connolly and Connor Glick – 86
* Vince Petrella and Sanup Desai – 87
While the final standings show a comfortable five-shot margin of victory, the competition was far from ceremonial. Combs and Connolly turned in an impressive round of 73 and were the only team to finish under the daunting benchmark of 75. Their effort would have been enough to win many tournaments, just not this one.
Eric Combs’ name was nearly etched into Shootout history with a near hole-out on the par 3 third hole. Combs’ shot finished within a putter head of the hole. The only hole in one in the 31-year history took place in 2006 at Water’s Edge Golf Club in Worth when the late Mike “Ace” Troy holed out on the 130-yard 12th hole.
Unfortunately for the rest of the field, Bidwill and Troha arrived with championship credentials.
The duo entered the day as defending Invitational Shootout champions after capturing the overall title in 2024. Their combination of length, consistency, and familiarity with scramble golf once again proved to be a difficult formula to beat.
Bidwill underwent hip surgery in 2025 at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush by internationally renowned orthopedic surgeon Richard Berger, MD. The surgery proved successful as Bidwill played pain free in 2026.
Throughout the round, Bidwill and Troha played the kind of steady golf that has become their trademark. Birdie opportunities were converted, mistakes were minimized, and the pair never seemed rattled by the pressure of both defending their reputation and competing for a brand-new trophy.
By the time the final scores were posted, the Connolly Cup had its first champions.
As winners, Bidwill and Troha will retain possession of the Connolly Cup until next year’s Invitational Shootout, when challengers once again attempt to pry the trophy from their hands.
That task may not be easy.
After all, the first names engraved on any trophy become part of its story forever.
Years from now, as future Connolly Cup battles unfold and new champions emerge, everyone will remember who won the first one.
Arthur Bidwill and Tyler Troha.
The inaugural champions.
The first custodians of the Connolly Cup.
And, at least until 2027, the undisputed kings of Connolly family bragging rights.