The Invitational Shootout

Two-Person Scramble Charity Golf Event

2010 Lifetime Achievement Awards

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JOHN BOYLE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDHe’s appeared in 13 of the 17 Invitational Shootout tournaments, including the inaugural 1994 event at The Links at Carillon in Plainfield. He’s an Invitational Shootout Champion, winning the memorable 1999 event at Maple Meadows in Wood Dale with partner Tom Scanlon. He’s also an accomplished diver and philanthropist, leading the 2008 Dive for Charity at the Shootout.

He is the legendary John Boyle, who joined Mike Fahey Saturday as the only competitors to be honored with the Invitational Shootout Lifetime Achievement Award. The Lifetime Achievement award honors individuals who make an extraordinary commitment to the event and the cause of the Invitational Shootout.

“When this event first started in 1994, we were just a bunch of guys who liked to play golf and compete” said John Boyle. “What this event has evolved into is just mind-boggling. I’m so proud to be involved with these people for such a worthy cause. This year I partnered with my dad and hopefully some day I’ll share this experience with my son as well.”

2004 Defeat Still Haunts Aaron Knight

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AARON KNIGHT MIKE KROENINGOf the 28 players to have worn the wool jacket as Invitational Shootout Champions, it’s safe to say very few possess the PGA Tour caliber ball-striking of Aaron Knight. Despite a very impressive golf resume, Knight has been universially accepted as the “Best Player to Have Never Won The Shootout”, a moniker that does not sit well with this normally affable golfer.

“Yeah, it does bother me to be called the best player to have never won The Shootout” said Aaron Knight. “I don’t think a day goes by without the painful memories of the 2004 playoff loss. Mike Kroening and I really have to produce this year or I may have to contemplate serious changes.”

Boyles Look to Make Invitational Shootout History

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JOHN BOYLE AND JOHN BOYLE SR.When he arrives at the first tee on June 5th, John Boyle will be making his 13th appearance in The Invitational Shootout. Only three players have competed in more Shootouts then John Boyle and none will be more meaningful than this year for the 1999 Invitational Shootout Champion.

“This year my dad and I will be partners and we’re really looking forward to making a run at John Moirano’s Legend’s title” said Boyle. “My victory in 1999 with Tom Scanlon was quite an accomplishment, but this year, Dad and I will re-write the record books by becoming the first Father/Son team to bring home a trophy.”

Local Celebrity Preps for Invitational Shootout

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RYAN MOUWWith just a month before the event, the Shootout Participant Committee still awaits an official commitment from long-time Shootout participant and local celebrity Ryan Mouw. However, Ryan is taking this year’s event more serious than ever as he enrolled in the local celebrity fit club boot camp several months ago.

No one has seen Mouw since he checked himself into this rigorous program, but an anonymous source, who also provided these before weigh in photos, reports that Ryan already has achieved his stated overall goal. If that is indeed true, we expect Mouw to vault up the Shootout leader board this year now that he can couple renewed fitness and endurance with his always superlative field wood game.

Fans in Awe of 2004 Shootout Champion Joe Hill

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JOE HILLThe atmosphere around the driving range at Flagg Creek Golf Club in the normally sleepy town of Countryside on Wednesday afternoon was electric with a dominating practice session by Joe Hill, 2004 Invitational Shootout Champion. Hill’s crisp ball striking and thunderous drives caught the attention of more than one local patron.

“This guy was bouncing balls off the top of the net at the back of the range” said Dr. Wayne Solomon. “That’s over 300 yards! I was also impressed by his precision iron shots. This guy has to be considered a favorite to win another plaid jacket.”

Aaron Knight Prepares for the 2009 Shootout

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After reading of his game’s demise on the Shootout website, Aaron Knight has embarked on an intense training and practice regimen in preparation for Saturday’s showdown culminating in his participation in this year’s Memorial Tourney Skins Game in Dublin, Ohio.

“I was shocked, but not totally surprised when Jack {Nicklaus} asked me to participate this year” said Knight. Nicklaus was in complete admiration of Knight’s revamped swing when touring Redtail Gold Course in Lakewood, IL as part of a course revamp. “When I saw him swing, I was reminded of some of the game’s greats and said to myself, he has to be included…”

John Boyle Announces His Return

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With 11 appearances, including a victory at Maple Meadows in 1999, not many players have meant more to The Invitational Shootout than the incomparable John Boyle. The competition committee is proud to announce that Mr. Boyle will compete in this year’s event with partner to be determined.

“JB was with us for the inaugural event in 1994 at Carillon and it’s great to have him back once again this year” said Mike Howley. “Quite simply, John is what The Shootout is all about.”

George Les Guarantees Victory

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GEORGE LESWith a championship and runner-up finish in only two Tournament starts, it’s easy to see why George Les is confident about his chances at the 2009 Invitational Shootout. He and partner Dominic Dallio are certainly among the favorites to capture the title once again this year.

In fact, George is so confident in his team he has guaranteed victory on June 6th at Water’s Edge Golf Club. “I have no doubt that Dominic and I will once again emerge victorious at The Invitational Shootout” said Les. “We look forward to joining the legendary Ray Shinkle and Walter Lis as the only two-time Tournament Champions.

Tom Senne Returns to The Shootout

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When he returns to competition June 6th after a one-year hiatus from the Tournament, Tom Senne will bring with him one of the most accomplished resumes in Shootout history. A three-time runner-up with nine top ten finishes, Senne will this year be partnering with 2006 Champion Michael Howley.

“Tom’s incredible tenacity and will to win has always made him a force to be reckoned with at The Shootout” said Howley. “I feel his partner has truly held him back from the ultimate goal of winning this event. I plan on making that dream a reality in 2009.”

Hill and Knight Going in Wrong Direction for Different Reasons

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Commentary by 2006 Shootout Champion Mike Howley

Joe Hill has gone the way of John Daly…too much Tennessee booze, Pall Mall coffin nails and trailer parties with women with names like Trixiebelle and Shirlene have wrecked a once promising golf career. The only question is when John Eterno, Hill’s long time golf partner, will decide to pull the plug on the golf partnership.

AARON_KNIGHTAaron Knight on the other hand remains the Shootout’s greatest enigma. Will his poor performance this year be due to the nerves of performing on the greatest stage of all, the travel fatigue associated with the long journey to the southside or the recent revelation of a 4th Knight sibling? He no doubt will use all of these excuses to explain why another title eludes him in ’09.