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Knight and Lis Defend Legends Title

June 10, 2014 by retlaw17

he team of Dr. Tom Knight and Walter Lis became the first team since Steve Loulousis and Jim Tinerella to successfully defended their Shootout Legends Division title at the 2014 Invitational Shootout. Knight and Lis won by a single stroke over the 2009 Champions Dennis Cook and John Moirano.

“Playing in The Shootout is unlike any other tournament of the year” said Dr. Knight. “I fly in from my home in Omaha, Nebraska just to be part of this special event and to come away with our second title is really special. We played really well today, especially at the start when we posted a couple quick birdies. However, the level of competition here is so high, you really have to keep the pedal down and stay aggressive our you’ll be lapped quickly.”

With their second victory, Knight and Lis now have their sights set on tying Loulousis and Tinerella’s record of three Legends Division titles. Earning a third straight victory in 2015 won’t be easy as many of the top teams from 2014 are expected to return including Cook/Moirano, McHugh/Vodicka and Bennett/Lang Sr.

“The competition seems to get better every year” said Walter Lis. “I’ve won two Shootout titles and two Shootout legends division titles, but this year’s win was the most difficult. We knew there were some great teams chasing us, especially as things got close at the end. But thankfully we were able to finish strong and post a solid number that earned us the win.”

Big Brothers Retain McMouw Cup

June 9, 2014 by retlaw17

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.”

Les Paul Team Wins 2014 Shootout

June 8, 2014 by retlaw17

It took a new partner for the man widely regarded as the greatest competitor in tournament history, George Les, to win his record-setting third Invitational Shootout championship. “King” George partnered with newcomer Paul Manolitsis to defeat the defending champions, Rob Garcia and Billy Les, by a single shot in the 2014 Invitational Shootout at Water’s Edge Golf Club in Worth.

A winner in 2007 and 2011 with Dominic Dallio, George Les recruited long-hitting Manolitsis to replace the injured Dallio for this year’s event. Manolitsis proved more than capable of stepping into Dallio’s prestigious shoes, using his prodigious length to supplement George Les’ artistry around the greens.

However, it took back-to-back birdies by King George himself on the final two holes to overcome his son and partner Garcia. With the victory, George became the only player in Shootout history with three victories.

“Manolitsis is the real deal” said 2004 Champion Joe Hill. “Our group was right behind theirs and we saw that guy hit some amazing shots. I know Dom was a special player, but I think Paul has him beat. He was definitely the most dominant player on the entire golf course today.”

“I drained about a 20-foot putt on 17 to tie the score and then I drained a similar length putt on the final hole for the win” said George Les. “I’m not sure if Rob and Billy knew what hit them, but I’ve done this before.”

Water’s Edge Ready For Battle

June 1, 2014 by retlaw17

When the normally perspicacious Invitational Shootout competition committee played the first official practice round of 2014 at Water’s Edge Golf Club in Worth on Friday, May 30, they saw a lot more than they expected. In fact, the committee unanimously agreed that the host course to this year’s Invitational Shootout was in spectacular shape.

“I was blown away by the condition of the course” said committee member Joe Hill. “The greens are fast and firm, the fairways are terrific and the bunkers are perfect. The only thing golfers at this year’s Shootout won’t like will be the high and thick rough. If you’re not in the fairway, you’re in trouble.”

The overwhelming majority of the golf courses in Chicago and the suburbs were hit hard by the record-setting cold this winter, which caused many facilities to lose entire greens. After an extended freeze of nearly six months, the poa annua, or annual meadow grass, which is native to this area, started to loose oxygen and never recovered on many courses.

Bill Casper Golf, which manages Water’s Edge Golf Club, worked tirelessly this spring to make sure the greens would be ready for first Saturday in June and The Shootout. “We had our entire team using June 7th as a target date to make sure these greens would be around a 12 or 13 on the Stimpmeter for The Shootout” said head groundskeeper Jeff Davis. “Thankfully we’ve got a strong root system that came alive in mid-May and has been growing really well. The course will be ready for battle on Shootout Saturday, I hope the golfers will be as well.”

Competition Questions Drastic Swing Changes By Shinkle

May 17, 2014 by retlaw17

When you’re a two-time Invitational Shootout Champion, you’re used being scrutinized each time you change partners or join a new country club. But even two-time Champion Ray Shinkle was surprised at the response from the competition when he announced he was making major swing changes.

“I couldn’t believe how many guys thought I was crazy for changing my golf swing” said Shinkle. “Look, after coming up short in the playoff last year I made a commitment to myself and my partner that 2014 would be a different story. That required basically reworking my entire golf swing and I’m happy with the results.”

Known as “The Predator” for his precision ball striking, Ray Shinkle won the 2002 and 2003 Invitational Shootouts at Maple Meadows Country Club. With the victories, he became the first golfer to win back-to-back Shootout titles with two different partners.

“I was really surprised when I heard Ray was drastically altering his golf swing” said 2004 runner-up Aaron Knight. “The guy was known as ‘The Predator’ for a reason. He took aim at the pin like he was on the hunt. I’m not sure he’ll be able to find that comfort level with a new swing.”

“I’ve got all the respect in the world for Ray” said 2004 Champion Joe Hill. “But changing such a beautiful golf swing makes no sense to me. I’m not sure how much damage losing in the playoff last year caused to him emotionally. I know Mike wasn’t really upset, but I know Ray took it hard. Hopefully he can bounce back and make another run at the title this year.”

Will History Repeat Itself in 2014?

May 6, 2014 by retlaw17

Although it happened ten years ago, Joe Hill remembers his victory with Walter Lis in the 2004 Invitational Shootout as if it were yesterday. “It really doesn’t seem that long ago” said Joe Hill. “I started out red hot and Walter got us into the playoff. We played two holes in sudden death and I hit a long putt from the fringe for the victory.”

Hill and Lis defeated the team of Aaron Knight and Mike Kroening for the victory at Maple Meadows Country Club in Wood Dale. “I wasn’t surprised that Joe drained the putt off the green on the second playoff hole to beat us. He was playing terrific golf at the time and had a great deal of confidence. I told Mike that we needed to make birdie on that hole because Joe looked ready. Unfortunately, I was right.”

The victory at the 2004 Invitational Shootout was the first for Joe Hill and the second for Walter Lis. “I’ve won in 1994, 2004 and am expecting another title in 2014” said Walter Lis. “It’s great to look back on the victory in 2004, especially considering how hard we had to fight to get it. It’s a great reminder that the path to greatness is along with others.”

Flagg Creek Showdown

June 20, 2013 by retlaw17

Mick McDonnell defeated Ryan Mouw in the inaugural Flagg Creek Showdown Wednesday evening before a large gallery in Countryside. Combatants in the annual McMouw Cup, Mick and Ryan faced each other in a stroke-play format, with McDonnell emerging the victor in a hard-fought match that finished in virtual darkness on the 9th hole.

“Although Ryan had a bit of a rough start, I knew I had to keep the throttle down the entire match in order stay in front” said McDonnell. “He may be down, but he’s really never out, especially in the Flagg Creek Showdown. I hit some really good iron shots on the par three 6th and 8th holes. I didn’t hit as many putts as I wanted, but I’m pretty happy with a score of 50.”

“Taking nothing away from Mick, today just wasn’t my day” said Ryan Mouw. “I felt a bit out of sorts on the range and things never really got better. I had a few mental lapses which cost me, like hitting from the red tees on the second hole. My plan is to take some time away from the game so I can be mentally and physically ready to reclaim the McMouw Cup in 2014.”

Event Photos

Garcia and Les Win The 2013 Invitational Shootout

June 2, 2013 by retlaw17

The 20th Annual Invitational Shootout featured an expected battle of famous names. Two-time Champion Ray Shinkle and partner Mike Howley brought three wool jackets to the competition on Saturday and were among the favorites to capture the crown. Their toughest competiton featured the equally famous Les name, but a new entry into the upper echelon of Shootout competitors. This time it was Billy Les, not the legendary King George Les, and partner Rob Garcia, who would battle the Shinkle/Howley dream team in overtime on a saturated Saturday at Water’s Edge Golf Club.

Both Shinkle/Howley and Garcia/Les finished at -6 after 18 holes, necessitating the first playoff since 2008 when The Armstrongs defeated George Les and Dominic Dallio on the first hole in sudden death. With darkness looming, Rob Garcia made a 20-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole to defeat Howley/Shinkle and capture the 20th Annual Invitational Shootout.

“I couldn’t be more proud of winning the 20th edition of such a special event” said Billy Les. “Rob and I battled the elements all day long by taking a positive approach. Everyone in the field was playing through the rainy and wet conditions, so we actually welcomed the tough circumstances. We weren’t going to quit and we kept hitting some good shots. It felt great to produce on a day like today under the bright lights of The Shootout.”

“The Les name means quality, and my partner Billy definitely produced a ‘Les quality’ performance today” said Rob Garcia. “King George is universially accepted as the greatest player in Shootout history. However, Billy is not far behind and could be the future of this great event. We had a great time out there today and are really looking forward to competing with George and Dom next year at The Invitational Shootout.”

Invitational Shootout Opening Ceremonies

May 26, 2013 by retlaw17

The opening ceremonies at the 20th Annual Invitational Shootout will once again feature a salute to previous year’s winners of The McMouw Cup. Last year 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. Therefore Larry and Ryan will have the honor of hitting the first ball along and vuvuzela serenade.

Take a look at the scenes from the 2012 Invitational Shootout as the master of ceremonies introduces the winners.

Shootout Rookies Feeling the Heat

May 19, 2013 by retlaw17

Tom Lang Sr. and Tom Lang Jr., are two rookies who months ago received the invite from the Shootout Competition Committee to compete in the Invitational Shootout. When Tom Sr. received the invite he was proud that the Committee recognized that he had performed well enough in 2012 to bypass the usual rookie Qualifying Round. However, Tom Sr., or Big T as he refers to himself on the links, questioned whether his son deserved similar treatment.

Tom Sr. stated, “I guess I come from a different generation where we had to work hard just to earn an opportunity to prove ourselves. Don’t get me wrong, I am excited about my son competing in the Shootout and I respect the Committee’s decision. However, I just feel that young Tom has not proven that he has what it takes to compete at this level.” Tom Jr., pictured, respectfully disagreed with his father and even chided him for only playing non-challenging courses like Hickory Hills Country Club. Tom Jr. lamented that, “my father’s low scores may have impressed the Competition Committee, but playing Hickory Hills Golf Course 5 times a year does not prepare him for the difficult course set up and pressure at the Shootout.”

Regardless of where you stand on whether Big T and Jr. deserved Qualifying Round exemptions, there is little doubt that both Shootout Rookies’ nerves are frayed as they must be questioning whether they are ready to compete on golf’s grandest stage.