The Invitational Shootout

Two-Person Scramble Charity Golf Event

George Les Guarantees Shootout Victory

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Speaking to a group of local leaders, for the third time in the last four years, two-time Champion George Les once again guaranteed victory in this year’s tournament. Winner of the 2007 Invitational Shootout Championship and the 2011 Invitational Shootout Championship, Les and partner Dominic Dallio are prohibitive favorites to win their third set of plaid jackets, becoming the first golfers to win the Shootout three times.

“Dom and I are very excited and very confident about our chances this year” said George Les. “In fact, I think it would be a real shock if we didn’t win our third crown this year. My short game has never been better and Dominic is hitting the ball father than ever. We’ve been at the top of the Shootout Power Rankings since last year and I don’t think anyone else is really close.”

Dallio and Les won last year’s event by shooting a 63, three strokes better than their nearest competitors. Both the second place (Burke/Burke) and the third place (Groark/Kickert) teams will not be in the field this year. The next closest team from 2011 was Vince Cainkar and Mike Howley, a team that finished a distant five strokes behind Dallio and Les.

“George Les is definitely the favorite” said 2004 Invitational Shootout Champion Joe Hill. “But John Eterno and I aren’t going to lay down for anyone.” Two-time Champion Ray Shinkle agreed “Listen, Dom and George are a great team. But they could bring back Hammer Hyland and we’re still not going just give him the trophy. Let’s see what happens on Shootout Saturday.”

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.

Aaron Knight Crowned People’s Champion

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After losing in a playoff at the 2004 Invitational Shootout, most experts believed Aaron Knight was poised for greatness. His silky swing and competitive personality was unique among Tournament competitors. After finishing sixth with partner Tony Bruno in 2003, Knight came painfully close in 2004 with partner Mike Kroening.

Despite all that potential, nearly ten years after his first appearance at The Shootout, Aaron Knight is still searching for his first victory. This troubling fact confounds many Shootout Champions who expected Knight would eventually join their ranks.

“With his ball striking and temperament, I’m stunned that Aaron Knight hasn’t won yet” said 2004 Champion Joe Hill. “Let’s face it, Aaron’s got a great swing and a solid short game” said two-time Champion Ray Shinkle. “It doesn’t make sense why he hasn’t won yet.” Said 2009 Shootout Champion Hammer Hyland “Aaron’s got what it takes to win this thing. Unfortunately, he just hasn’t done it.”

Although he’s certainly disappointed in his fruitless quest for the plaid jacket so far, Knight is far from giving up. “Listen, I’ve had my chances” said Aaron Knight. “But for one reason or another it hasn’t worked out yet. And despite my setbacks, I’m still one of the most popular players in the history of The Shootout. In fact, I’ve heard from a lot of supportive fans who really want me to win. At this point in my career, I feel like I’m The People’s Champion, which is pretty cool.”

Boyle Family to Break New Ground

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With virtually nothing left to prove at The Invitational Shootout, John Boyle continues to break new ground with the recent announcement that he will be partnering with his son Jack Boyle for the 2012 event. Jack will be the third generation representative at The Shootout, joining his grandfather, father and uncle to play in the world’s most prestigious two-person golf scramble.

Jack Boyle, who is a top-ranked player for Lemont High School, will be joining his father John, a 1999 Invitational Shootout Champion and a 2010 winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award. John Boyle has played the last two tournaments with his father John Boyle Sr. The elder Boyle could be paired with another son, Mike Boyle, for the 2012 event.

“I’m really looking forward to not only playing The Shootout with my son Jack, but exposing him to the intense pressure of this spectacular tournament” said John Boyle. “He’s never felt anything close to the tension that he’ll be feeling on the first tee at The Shootout. It will be great to share this moment with our entire family.”

Ten Years Later, Ray Shinkle Still Stands Alone

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HOWLEY_SHINKLE_225After winning the second of back-to-back Invitational Shootout championships via a thrilling playoff victory in 2003, it was clear Ray Shinkle had earned his place in tournament history. Ten years have passed and he still stands alone as the only man to have won The Shootout in two consecutive years with two different partners.

In the years since the Donley/Shinkle victory in 2003, the majority of plaid jackets have been worn by long-time teammates. Victorious teams such as Welder/Wits, Dallio/Les and the Amstrongs have played together in the Shootout for multiple years. In fact, since Shinkle’s remarkable feat in 2003, only the 2004 Invitational Shootout Championship team of Hill/Lis have played in multiple Shootouts individually, while winning in their only Shootout performance together.

“I think we’ve entered the era of consistent teams in The Shootout” says Mike Howley. “It’s doubtful that we’ll see anyone ever approach Ray’s record of back-to-back wins with different partners. Now days, teams are practicing together, detailing strategies and playing to their strengths. It’s a different world.”

“Ray definitely changed this event, he’s had very much the same impact Arnold Palmer has had on The Masters” said Joe Hill. “His charisma and magnetism attracted a whole new audience to The Shootout.”

2012 Invitational Shootout Qualifying

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Qualifying rounds for the 2012 Invitational Shootout begin April 30 and run until May 26 at Water’s Edge Golf Club. Registered qualifying contestants with the lowest scores will be eligible for invitation to The Shootout, pending available space in the field. The number of openings in the 2012 Invitational Shootout field is typically available the week before The Shootout.

2012 Invitational Shootout Qualifying Rounds
April 30 – May 26
Water’s Edge Golf Club
7205 West 115th Street
Worth,IL 60482

2011 Lifetime Achievement Awards

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JOHN_GROARKTwo pillars of The Shootout were honored this year by the tournament competition committee with Lifetime Achievement Awards. Tom Senne and John Groark became only the 3rd and 4th participants to receive this prestigious honor.

Tom Senne has participated in 13 of the 18 Invitational Shootouts, including the inaugural event in 1994. He’s also the record holder for most 2nd place finishes with four. Tom’s intensity and competitive spirit has consistently kept him at the top of the leaderboard for nearly two decades.

John Groark was one of the original 16 players to compete at the 1994 Invitational Shootout. Since then he’s shown a steady willingness to adjust his game with different partners, including a 3rd place finish in 2011 with long-hitting Kyle Kickert. John also partnered with Bob Barasa to shoot a five under par 67, to win the Legends Division of the 2007 Invitational Shootout.

Garcia/Waites Pummel Shinkle/Lyons After Months of Shinkle Smacktalk

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GARCIA_WAITESMonday morning payback was tough for two-time Champion Raymond Shinkle and his partner Patrick Lyons. After casually dismissing the skills of Alabama Al and El Chupacabra Garcia for several months preceding the Shootout, Ray Shinkle is stuck eating something that he is unaccustomed….CROW!

Garcia/Waites posted an impressive -2 score that was even more remarkable considering that Alabama Al had arrived in his pick up truck just 1/2 hour before the start of the Shootout after driving through the night from Talledega Springs, Alabama. Al said that for the first nine he was still wired from drinking a six pack of Diet Mountain Dew during the lengthy drive.

The Diet Dew buzz eventually wore off for Alabama Al on the back nine, but that is where Garcia came alive. El Chupacabra Garcia, like the mythical blood sucking beast, has a penchant for devouring his prey. Garcia never missed a fairway on the back nine and he and Waites hung tough to post a solid sub-par round for this pair that had never played golf together until the 2011 Shootout.

Indeed, little did Shinkle and Lyons know that they never stood a chance against this focused twosome. Equally alarming, is that Shinkle and Lyons continue to struggle ever since the Shootout moved to this tough southside track. While walking off the final green, Shinkle mumbled that, “this course has my number.”

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.”

Dallio and Les Win 2011 Invitational Shootout

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DALLIO_LESDominic Dallio & George Les overcame a torn contact lense and a torrential downpour to capture the 2011 Invitational Shootout. This was the second title for the team of Dallio & Les, who also won in 2007 when they held off Walter Lis and Tom Senne for a one shot victory.

Dallio & Les started their round quickly, with three birdies in their first five holes. Then catastrophe struck when Dominic accidently tore a contact lense. At nearly the same time, play was halted due to weather, providing a brief window of opportunity for Dallio’s fiancee to arrive with a replacement lense, right before play resumed.

“After we started so well, I couldn’t believe that I had torn my contact lense” said Dallio. “It was the last thing I expected to happen. Thankfully, we were able to call for a replacement during the weather delay and use that time to regroup.”

Despite somewhat soggy conditions after the rain delay, Dallio & Les kept the pressure on and finished with a remarkable 9-under par round of 63. The duo won their first Shootout in 2007 with a 6-under par 66.