Featured

Rookies Rule the Day: Mikula and Patel Capture the 2026 Invitational Shootout

June 6, 2026 by retlaw17

Krish Patel and Jacob Mikula

Every year at the Invitational Shootout, veterans arrive armed with experience, course knowledge, and enough golf stories to fill a clubhouse. Every year, newcomers are politely welcomed and quietly reminded that winning this tournament is easier said than done.

On Friday, June 5, 2026 at George W. Dunne National Golf Course, Jacob Mikula and Krish Patel ignored all of that.

Making their first-ever appearance in the Invitational Shootout, the former Downers Grove South High School standouts stunned the field and captured the 2026 Invitational Shootout championship, becoming one of the few rookie teams in tournament history to claim the title in their debut.

Not bad for a pair of first-timers.

While many teams spent the day grinding through Dunne’s demanding layout, Mikula and Patel displayed the kind of chemistry that only comes from years of playing competitive golf together. The duo combined length off the tee, precise iron play, and a steady stream of clutch putts to navigate the challenges of Cook County’s premier championship course.

“What these young men accomplished today is nothing short of spectacular” said 2004 Shootout Champion Joe Hill. “The history of this great tournament is littered with the egos of guys who expected to contend immediately. That rarely, if ever happens. More often than not, the pressure becomes too much and the hot shots wind up soiling their trousers on the way to posting a score in the 80s.”

But for friends and family, their performance may have felt familiar. After all, anyone who followed high school golf in the western suburbs knows the names Jacob Mikula and Krish Patel. Both golfers helped establish Downers Grove South as one of the area’s premier programs, earning reputations as fierce competitors capable of going low when the pressure was highest.

That competitive pedigree was on full display Friday.

The Invitational Shootout has always been a unique test. Unlike a traditional tournament, the two-person scramble format rewards teamwork as much as individual talent. Successful teams must balance aggression with patience, know when to attack, and trust their partner when things don’t go according to plan.

George Les Jr and George Les Win the 2025 Invitational Shootout

“I feel like the potential for these two guys is unprecedented” said McMouw Cup standout Mick McDonnell. “We’ve spent years under Les Dynasty. With George Les and his grandson winning last year, I think most people felt things would stay the same. Jacob and Krish officially put their stake in the ground at the Shootout, and I can’t wait to see an epic clash next year if the GOAT returns.”

Mikula and Patel appeared comfortable from the opening tee shot.

As the round progressed, it became increasingly clear that the newcomers weren’t simply enjoying the experience—they were contenders.

By the time the final putts dropped, the rookie duo had done something many seasoned Shootout veterans have spent years trying to accomplish: hoist the championship trophy.

Their victory adds another memorable chapter to the 31-year history of the event and serves as a reminder that every generation eventually gets its turn.

For the tournament’s longtime participants, the result may have been a wake-up call. The next wave of talent has officially arrived.

For Mikula and Patel, however, the victory represents something even more special.

In a tournament known for family traditions, longtime friendships, and annual rivalries, the pair instantly etched their names into Shootout history. Years from now, when stories are told about the great champions of the Invitational Shootout, there will be a special footnote next to their names:

Won it on the first try.

That’s a rare accomplishment anywhere in golf.

At the Invitational Shootout, it’s legendary.

Bill Przybylski Receives Lifetime Achievement Award at 2026 Invitational Shootout

June 6, 2026 by retlaw17

Bill Przybylski Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

Some awards are won with birdies. Others are earned through years of friendship, loyalty, and showing up.

On June 5, 2026, Bill Przybylski was recognized for exactly that when he received the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award at the 31st Invitational Shootout at George W. Dunne National Golf Course.

As his name was announced, those gathered under the pavilion erupted in applause. What followed was one of the most emotional moments in Shootout history.

Przybylski, who first competed in the Invitational Shootout in 2009, was visibly moved by the honor. As he stepped forward to accept the award, emotions quickly overwhelmed him. For perhaps the first time in his many years at the event, Bill found himself at a loss for words.

Not that anyone blamed him.

Highest Honor

The Lifetime Achievement Award represents one of the highest honors bestowed at the Invitational Shootout. Unlike trophies won through a single great round, this recognition celebrates years of participation, camaraderie, sportsmanship, and contributions to the unique culture that has made the Shootout one of Chicago’s most enduring amateur golf traditions.

In many ways, Bill embodied everything the award was created to recognize.

For 17 years, he has been a familiar face at the event. Through sunny days, rainy days, good rounds, bad rounds, and countless stories shared over food and drinks after play, Przybylski has become an important part of the Shootout family.

When he attempted to address the crowd after receiving the award, the magnitude of the moment became apparent. Words came slowly. Thoughts were difficult to organize. Several times he paused as he fought back emotion.

It was a reminder that while golf brings everyone together, the relationships formed over decades often become far more meaningful than any scorecard.

Bill Przybylski at the 2009 Invitational Shootout

“I’m so proud of Bill and everything that he’s brought to this incredible event” said 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award winner Mick McDonnell. “The guy has been bringing great energy on Tournament day since 2009. That’s a big part of what makes the Invitational Shootout so special.”

The applause that followed his remarks wasn’t simply for a golfer receiving an award.

It was for a friend.

Przybylski becomes the 13th recipient of the Invitational Shootout Lifetime Achievement Award, joining a distinguished list of past honorees who helped shape the tournament’s history:

Bill Przybylski – 2026
Mike McHugh – 2025
Dale Gurtowski – 2024
John Moriano – 2022
Phil Valela – 2022
George Les – 2018
Len Piersialla – 2014
Dan Ricci – 2014
Walter Lis Sr. – 2014
Ron Mouw – 2013
Mick McDonnell – 2013
Tom Senne – 2011
John Boyle – 2010

Each name represents a chapter in Shootout history. Together, they tell the story of a tournament built not just on competition, but on friendship, tradition, and community.

Przybylski’s addition to that list feels especially fitting.

While champions come and go each year, the people who help create the spirit of the Invitational Shootout leave a lasting impact that extends far beyond a single tournament.

That’s why the Lifetime Achievement Award exists.

And that’s why Bill Przybylski’s emotional reaction resonated with everyone in attendance.

The trophy he received will undoubtedly find a place of honor at home. But the standing ovation, the appreciation from his fellow competitors, and the recognition of nearly two decades of participation may be the memories that endure the longest.

For one afternoon at George Dunne, the scorecards didn’t matter.

The spotlight belonged to Bill Przybylski.

And nobody could have been more deserving.

Bidwill and Troha Capture Inaugural Connolly Cup

June 6, 2026 by retlaw17

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.

Favorite Memories From Shootout History

June 2, 2026 by retlaw17

Recently we interviewed some of the Shootout greats to collect their favorite moments from the past 30 years. Although their experiences vary, they all share a passion and love for the most respected two-person golf scramble in the Midwest.

Joe Hill – Although winning the Shootout in 2004 with Walter Lis was amazing, I think my favorite Shootout moment was the previous year when John Eterno and I faced Ray Shinkle and Brian Donley in a playoff. Although we lost, John and I had a great time playing in front of the huge crowd that watched us compete on the 18th hole at Maple Meadows. Obviously our downfall was when we both lost our tee balls in the woods to the right. However, we still were able to chase a shot onto the green, forcing Ray to hit a clutch putt for the victory.

Shane Hennessy-York – People always ask me what it was like to win the 2015 Invitational Shootout. I tell them it was obviously a dream come true and something that I will always be grateful for. However, I think my favorite moment was actually competing for the first time in 2014 with my partner that year, Joe Schley. I had heard so much discussion around the office in the months leading up to the Invitational Shootout that I really didn’t know what to expect. We played well that year, but I’m sure the pressure of the moment certainly kept us from achieving our full potential that year.

Tom Jemilo – My favorite Shootout moment was receiving the invite to actually play in the event for the first time in 2015. Matt Grant and I played against Greg DiBona and Tom Lang in a Shootout qualifier that year. We took a quick lead, but eventually the experience of the DiBona and Lang was just too much for Matt and I. As we sat dejectedly the parking lot after the round pondering our future, I questioned whether we would every get the opportunity to play in the most respected two-person scramble in the Midwest. When I heard the news that we received an exemption and would be allowed to compete in the 2015 Invitational Shootout after all, I was filled with joy. That was one of the best moments of my life.

Mick McDonnell – My favorite Shootout moment was definitely winning the first McMouw Cup in 2011. When Ron and I beat Larry and Ryan back then, there basically were no rules. The competition was in its infancy, which meant we could do just about anything to try and throw off the competition. Over the years we used all sorts of noise makers and projectiles, including fireworks to gain an advantage. Ryan and Larry also turned the tables on us plenty of times, so I have no regrets whatsoever.

George Les – After winning in 2007 and 2011 with Dominic Dallio, I was incredibly proud to win in 2014 with Paul Manolitsis. I became the first three-time Invitational Shootout champion and I proved I could do with different partners. Although Dom and Paul are both great players, they’re also very different. Winning my sixth title with my grandson in 2025 was definitely a wonderful experience. I don’t think a lot of guys are going to be surprised when we’re wearing those beautiful jackets again this year.

Hammer Hyland – Although Ry and I have only played in one event so far, the 2009 Invitational Shootout at Water’s Edge was a blast. Ry and I could both hit the ball a country mile at that point in our careers, so we decided to play super aggressive and challenge every green and every pin possible. We reached all the Par 5’s in two that day and basically overpowered the golf course. We had so much fun testing ourselves in such a highly respected event.

Tom Senne – Certainly playing with my dad was great and winning the Legends Division multiple times is something I’m really proud of. But I think my favorite memory was competing in the first Invitational Shootout back in 1994. I don’t think anyone had an idea of how big this event would eventually become when we all met at The Links at Carillon before the start of the first Shootout. Competing as a two-person team was a hit right away, and I loved the feeling of fighting for the first title as we reached the 18th hole. Although Mike Howley and I came up a bit short, it was definitely an amazing experience.

Top Ten Greatest Moments in Shootout History

June 1, 2026 by retlaw17

In the history of The Invitational Shootout, 900+ golfers have hit over 190,000 golf shots and 36 men have been crowned Champion. Here are the ten moments widely considered to be the greatest in Shootout history.

10. Russelberg sinks 55-foot putt on second hole of sudden death playoff to win in 2000.

The 2000 tournament, which was the only event that was rescheduled due to rain, was contested at Prairie Bluff Golf Course in Romeoville. The tournament also featured a sudden death playoff between the teams of Brian Jones and John Russelberg and Walter Lis and Roger Yaffe.

With a large gallery in tow, both teams parred the 413-yard par four opening hole of the playoff. The second hole is a 369-yard dogleg left to a raised green. Lis and Yaffe found the green on their approach and were left with a 25-foot putt for birdie, while Jones and Russelberg faced a 55-foot snake with multiple breaks.

Prairie Bluff – Second Hole

Jones’ attempt missed left, but provided John Russelberg with an easy teach to correctly see the undulations. Russelberg sank the clutch bomb for birdie and neither Lis nor Yaffe were able to answer, leaving Jones and Russelberg to celebrate their incredible sudden death triumph.

9. Pat Walsh drives 300-yard 18th hole for the victory in 2001.

After nearly five hours of back and forth battle, the teams of Pat Walsh and Chris Wolak and Tom Senne and Walter Lis were tied and playing in the same foursome with a single hole left in the 2001 Shootout. Senne and Lis hit first and found the fairway on the 305-yard par four 18th hole at Maple Meadows.

After Wolak hit his tee shot, Pat Walsh pulled a driver from his bag and aimed for a narrow strip of landing area near the front of the green. No previous teams had even attempted to hit the green off the tee that day, but Walsh threw caution to the wind and hit one of the most remarkable drives in Shootout history. His tee shot stopped just short of the green, allowing Walsh and Wolak to convert the birdie and steal the coveted green jackets once again from the four-time runners up, Lis and Senne.

8. Marziani and Murnane become first team to win two titles in 1998.

With the tournament celebrating its fifth anniversary, The Invitational Shootout made its first visit to Maple Meadows Country Club in 1998. The defending champion Maione brothers were unable to return to defend their crown, but the 1996 champions, Mike Marziani and Mark Murnane were on hand to demolish the competition at the event’s new home. With the victory, Marziani and Murnane became the first team to win The Shootout twice, a record that has been tied four times. However, no team has won three titles.

7. Armstrong’s defeat Les/Dallio on first hole of a sudden death playoff to win their first of two titles.

In the the third sudden death playoff in Shootout history, Shootout rookies Bryan and Brett Armstrong outlasted 2007 Champions Dominic Dallio and George Les to capture the 2008 Invitational Shootout at Waters Edge Golf Course. The brothers would win again in 2010, this time defeating Joe Hill and John Eterno by three strokes.

6. Mickey McDonnell overcomes a severe wrist injury to win the 2012 McMouw Cup.

Perhaps no moment in Shootout history was as inspiring as Mickey McDonnell’s determination and incredible pain threshold in 2012. Faced with a severe wrist injury, tournament organizers were shocked to learn that McDonnell would attempt to play. McDonnell had refused to seek medical attention for the wrist for fear that the doctors would not allow him to compete.

After struggling with a bulky wrist sleeve on the practice range, Mick discarded the brace on the first tee and proceeded to play the round of his career, leading his partner Ron Mouw to an improbable McMouw Cup victory over Ryan Mouw and Larry McDonnell.

Mick McDonnell warming up his injured wrist.

5. Joe Hill chips in on second hole of a sudden death playoff to win in 2004.

After losing to Ray Shinkle the previous year in a sudden death playoff, the golf gods smiled on Joe Hill after he learned his long-time partner, John Eterno, would be unavailable for the 2004 Shootout. As luck would have it, 1994 Champion Walter Lis was available and the duo clicked immediately, leading the tournament by four strokes after the first nine holes.

After sinking a 75-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole, Lis made another improbable birdie on the 18th to catapult their team into a playoff with Aaron Knight and Mike Kroening. Hill and Lis were no strangers to sudden death playoffs, both losing in their previous attempts. However, their luck would change on the second hole of the sudden death playoff as Joe Hill would sink a 45-foot chip from just off the green for the victory in one of the most thrilling moments in Shootout history.

Joe Hill and Walter Lis win their jackets.

Joe Hill reacts to his championship chip.

4. Ace Troy cards the only hole-in-one in Shootout history in 2006.

With one swing of his trusty 9-iron, Mike Troy became the first player in Shootout history to card a hole-in-one, acing the 130-yard 12th hole in 2006. Tournament officials estimate that over 172,000 golf shots have been attempted throughout the 24 year history of The Shootout. In that time, only Mike Troy has been able bag an ace.

Ace Troy holds the hole in one flag.

3. Ray Shinkle becomes first man to defend his title in 2003.

Since his first appearance in the Shootout in 2002, Ray Shinkle has earned the reputation as the greatest ball striker in tournament history. The “Predator” won in his first appearance with partner Jeff Fernstrom in 2002 and again in 2003 with partner Brian Donley. Of the 36 men to win the Shootout since 1994, only Shinkle has been able to defend the title. To further cement his Shootout legacy, Shinkle would capture his third crown in 2016, joining King George Les as the only two players to win three Shootout crowns.

Ray Shinkle

2. George Les becomes first player to win six titles in 2025.

No player has been as consistent in the history of the tournament as George Les, winner of the 2007, 2011, 2014, 2018, 2023 and 2025 Invitational Shootouts. King George has finished in the top five in 11 of the 13 events that he’s competed in and even won the 2012 Shootout Wedge Tournament.

His 2025 victory was his sixth triumph. Before winning with his grandson, he won three with partner Paul Manolitsis and two with longtime partner Dominic Dallio.

King George Les with Ray Shinkle and Mike Howley

1. Hammer Hyland and Dave Neill become the first team to finish double digits under par.

There was great anticipation before the 2009 Invitational Shootout as one of the largest and strongest fields in Shootout history prepared for battle. Although there were 12 current or former champions in the field, it was a previously unknown team that would dominate the event like never before, shaking The Shootout to its core. Kevin “Hammer” Hyland and Dave Neill showed up at Water’s Edge with little fanfare and left with a legacy that has never been matched.

Hammer Hyland and Dave Neill

The two men lapped the field early, making victory a foregone conclusion before the start of the back nine. The only remaining question was answered on the 18th green with their final birdie, allowing the duo to become the first team finish to -10, a mark most felt would never be achieved.

Ten Years Later: The Redemption of Howley & Shinkle Still Echoes Through Shootout History

May 25, 2026 by retlaw17 1 Comment

There are champions. There are legends. And then there are the men who survived the chaos of the Invitational Shootout long enough to have their names permanently etched into tournament folklore.

In 2016, that honor belonged to Mike Howley and Ray Shinkle.

Now, somehow, unbelievably, alarmingly…it has been ten years.

A full decade since Howley and Shinkle captured the 2016 Invitational Shootout championship in a performance for the ages at Water’s Edge Golf Club in Worth.

The Run That Changed Everything

Back in 2016, the Invitational Shootout was already gaining its reputation as the Midwest’s premier two-person scramble. The field was loaded. Confidence was high. And yet, through the smoke, noise, and emotional devastation, Howley and Shinkle emerged victorious.

But the story of their triumph begins three years earlier during a catastrophic playoff defeat to Rob Garcia and Billy Les at the 2013 Invitational Shootout. Little did Howley and Shinkle realize their redemption would come three years later over BOTH Billy Les and the GOAT, George Les.

The Pressure of Shootout Greatness

Winning the Invitational Shootout has never been easy.

The event is not merely a golf tournament. It is an endurance test of focus, friendship, strategy, hydration, emotional resilience, and one’s ability to function while hearing somebody yell “LET’S GO!” from three fairways away.

By the back nine, every putt suddenly feels historic.

And in 2016, nobody handled the moment better than Howley and Shinkle.

A Championship That Aged Beautifully

Ten years later, the 2016 title has only grown in stature.

Part of that is because the Shootout itself has become bigger than ever. What started as a fun gathering of golfers has evolved into one of Chicagoland’s most beloved golf traditions — a tournament where stories live forever and every participant believes, deep down, that this could finally be their year.

But the other reason the 2016 championship still resonates is simple: Howley and Shinkle perfectly represented the spirit of the Shootout.

Competitive. Relentless. And fully prepared to fight for their dignity.

Climb That Mountain

Mike Howley and Ray Shinkle in 2013

The playoff loss in 2013 created more scar tissue for both Howley and Shinkle than they cared to realize. The opportunity of a lifetime turned into the nightmare that would never end.

“I couldn’t believe how bad both Mike and Ray played in sudden death in 2013. It was like they forgot how to play the game” said 2004 Shootout Champion Joe Hill. “It was sad to watch. Mike had never won The Shootout, so I understood why he felt apart under the weight of such enormous pressure. But at the time, Ray was tied with George Les for most Shootout titles, so I never expected him to crumble in the heat of the moment”.

“It was pretty clear Mike and Ray were shocked by their own buffoonery” said McMouw Cup Champion Mick McDonnell. “I told pretty much everyone I knew that these two guys were done. You can’t go throughout something so traumatic and ever recover your manhood. Yet somehow three years later these two guys vanquish The GOAT and his son. It’s truly shocking.”

Where Are They Now?

Ten years later, both men remain deeply connected to Shootout history.

Howley, of course, continues serving as one of the central figures behind the event itself — a man whose fingerprints are all over the tournament’s growth, traditions, and unique personality.

Shinkle, meanwhile, still carries the quiet confidence of a three-time champion. Ray is one of only four men to win the Shootout with multiple partners – George Les, Walter Lis and Shane Hennessey-York.

And honestly? He’s earned it.

The Legacy Lives On

Every year, new teams arrive believing they can make history.

Some do.

Most leave muttering about lip-outs and “if only that drive stayed in bounds.”

But only one team can forever claim the title of 2016 Invitational Shootout Champions.

Ten years later, the names still stand tall:

Mike Howley. Ray Shinkle.

Champions. Legends. Survivors.

And perhaps most importantly, living proof that greatness can happen when two golfers reclaim their manhood after a crushing defeat.

Full Metal Mulligan: The McMouw Cup Wars

May 24, 2026 by retlaw17

Since its inception at the 2011 Invitational Shootout, the McMouw Cup has generated some of the most shocking, noteworthy and incomprehensible moments in tournament history. The Cup is contested annually between members of the McDonnell and Mouw families, adding a familial rivalry to the tournament’s competitive spirit. Over the years, the McMouw Cup has been the centerpiece of some of the most dramatic and memorable moments in the event’s history.

The McMouw Cup’s blend of familial rivalry and competitive golf exemplifies the unique character of the Invitational Shootout. Its history is rich with stories of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dramatic finishes, making it a highlight of the event each year. Even after all of these years, the McMouw Cup continues to symbolize the enduring traditions and spirited competition that define the Invitational Shootout.

Wrist Injury Can’t Stop a Legend

Mick McDonnell warming up his injured wrist.

In 2012, Mick McDonnell delivered one of the most inspiring performances in Invitational Shootout history during the McMouw Cup. Despite suffering from a severe wrist injury, McDonnell chose to compete, fearing that medical advice might prevent his participation. On the practice range, he struggled with a bulky wrist sleeve but ultimately discarded it on the first tee.

Defying the odds, McDonnell played the round of his career, leading his partner Ron Mouw to an improbable victory over Ryan Mouw and Larry McDonnell. This act of determination and resilience has since been celebrated as one of the tournament’s greatest moments.

Boyle’s Stroke Play Confusion Leads to Epic Comeback

Most observers were unsure of how the battle for the Cup would be impacted by a new face in 2024. But few were disappointed after another remarkable competition led to a draw and the Cup staying with Ron Mouw and Mick McDonnell for another year.

1999 Shootout Champion John Boyle partnered with Larry McDonnell to take on Ron and Mick, delivering an epic battle that won’t soon be forgotten. The match was decided on the final two holes as Boyle/McDonnell erased a three stroke advantage on their 17th hole before both teams finished with par on the final hole and similar scores of 92.

With the tie, Mouw/McDonnell retain the Cup for another year and both teams are already looking forward to another monumental clash in 2025 at the historic 30th Invitational Shootout.

“It was a good old-fashioned slugfest out there today” said Lifetime Achievement Award winner 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 next year at the historic 30th Invitational Shootout.”

“I thought we were playing stroke play for the first few holes” said John Boyle. “When Ron and Mick said they were up by three, I was shocked. What they meant was they were up by three strokes – not three holes. I then told Larry that they key to victory will be staying in the fight through the entire 18 holes. That mindset was key because it took us 17 holes to eventually tie the match. I’m disappointed that we didn’t get possession of the McMouw Cup, but I guarantee that we’ll bring it home next year at the historic 30th Invitational Shootout.”

The Connolly Cup Joins the Madness at the 2026 Invitational Shootout

May 18, 2026 by retlaw17 1 Comment

The Invitational Shootout has never been just a golf tournament.

It is part competition, part family reunion, part psychological experiment, and part annual reminder that grown men will invent almost any excuse to create a trophy, argue over handicaps, and spend the next 12 months reminding someone that they lost.

For years, the McMouw Cup has carried the banner for tournament-within-the-tournament absurdity. It has produced injuries, confusion, trash talk, emotional collapses, questionable trophies, and performances that were either heroic or deeply concerning, depending on your perspective.

Now, in 2026, a new internal rivalry enters the arena.

Prepare yourselves for the inaugural Connolly Cup.

The Connolly Cup will feature 10 golfers connected to Mark Connolly, which immediately makes it one of the largest, most complicated, and potentially exciting side competitions in Shootout history.

The inaugural Connolly Cup field includes:

Vince Petrella
Sanup Desai
Connor Glick
Bob Connolly
Cameron Muirhead
Stephen Kaidantsis
Eric Combs
Mark Connolly
Tyler Troha
Arthur Bidwill

The Connolly Cup already features two former Shootout champions in Arthur Bidwill and Tyler Troha, who stunned the field in 2024 by winning the Invitational Shootout as rookies. Their 71 at George W. Dunne National came in historically difficult conditions, with blustery winds, a 142 slope rating, and enough cicadas to make even the most mentally stable player question his life choices.

Troha, famously not a fan of bugs, somehow managed to block out the insect invasion long enough to help claim the title. Bidwill, meanwhile, embraced the chaos, won the long drive contest, and helped deliver one of the great rookie performances in tournament history.

That alone makes Bidwill and Troha dangerous.

Also entering the Connolly Cup spotlight is big Connor Glick, winner of the 2025 Longest Drive competition after launching one 290 yards while claiming he was “just trying to keep it in play.” This is exactly the kind of statement that makes tournament officials nervous and everyone else immediately intimidated.

Then there is Cameron Muirhead, who quietly added his name to Shootout history by winning Closest to the Pin on Hole #3 in 2024. In a field full of flamboyant personalities, Muirhead may represent the most dangerous type of competitor: someone who simply hits good shots and lets everyone else self-destruct.

The Rest of the Field

The rest of the field enters with less documented Shootout mythology, which only makes them more mysterious.

Mark Connolly, as the central figure in this entire operation, will be prepared with Glick this year after playing with Troha in 2025. If Mark’s fairway finder is working, that should give Connor license to unleash his prodigious length.

Bob Connolly brings the all-important Connolly name to the proceedings, which means every shot he hits will carry added weight, but he’s also got game. Bob’s got a new partner in 2026 and they may be the dark horse team.

Vince Petrella enters as a wild card, which in Shootout terms means nobody knows whether he is about to shoot the round of his life or run out of golf balls. He’s now a seasoned veteran of Shootout pressure, which should help bring out his best.

Sanup Desai may be the mystery man of the field. Every great internal Shootout competition needs at least one player whose scouting report is vague enough to make everyone nervous. Desai could be steady, explosive, erratic, or all three within a four-hole stretch.

Stephen Kaidantsis brings a name that already sounds like it belongs engraved on a trophy, which may be a competitive advantage before a ball is even struck. Whether the golf matches the typography remains to be seen.

Eric Combs rounds out the inaugural field and should not be overlooked as he lives within the closet proximity to George Dunne of anyone in the field. Combs, who was paired with Joe Connolly in 2025, knows the course like the back of his hand and has reportedly created his own yardage book and is a green-reading magician.

What the Connolly Cup Really Represents

That is the beauty of the Connolly Cup.

Nobody really knows what it is yet.

But that has never stopped the Shootout before.

The McMouw Cup did not become legendary because it was sensible. It became legendary because it combined family pride, mild humiliation, selective memory, and golf scores that required emotional processing.

The Connolly Cup has all the ingredients to follow that same path.

There will be bragging rights.

There will be accusations.

There will be one player who insists he “actually hit it pretty well” despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

There will be someone who starts calculating Connolly Cup standings before the round is over.

And there will almost certainly be one putt that haunts somebody until 2027.

The Invitational Shootout has always been a legacy factory. Some legacies are built on championships. Some are built on clutch shots. Some are built on surviving George Dunne without losing your swing, your partner, or your ability to make eye contact at dinner.

In 2026, the Connolly Cup begins its own chapter.

Ten players.

One trophy.

A lifetime of exaggerated stories.

May the best Connolly-adjacent golfer win.

“King” George Les: The Standard of Greatness at the Invitational Shootout

May 10, 2026 by retlaw17 1 Comment

In every great tournament, there is eventually one competitor who rises above the rest. One player who stops merely winning and starts defining the standard for everyone else. At the Invitational Shootout, that player is unquestionably George Les.

For years, the Invitational Shootout has built its reputation as one of the most competitive two-person scramble tournaments in the Midwest — a tournament where pressure, nerves, clutch putting, and chemistry matter just as much as talent. Champions come and go. Great teams emerge for a season or two. But sustained dominance in the Shootout is extraordinarily rare.

That is what makes George Les different.

With six Invitational Shootout championships, Les has separated himself from the field in historic fashion, doubling the total of every other three-time champion in tournament history.

That achievement alone tells the story.

The next tier of legends — Paul Manolitsis, Shane Hennessy-York, and Ray Shinkle — each own three championships. That is an incredible accomplishment in an event that has produced more than three decades of elite competition. Yet George Les stands alone with six titles, creating a gap between himself and the rest of the field that resembles the dominance of a dynasty rather than the success of a single player.

It is why many around the tournament now refer to him simply as:

“King George.”

Les first etched his name into Shootout history in 2007 when he teamed with Dallio to capture the championship at Water’s Edge Golf Club. Four years later, he returned to the winner’s circle in 2011, proving the first title was no fluke. Then came the run that elevated him from champion to legend.

In 2014, Les and Paul Manolitsis claimed another title. In 2018, the pair won again in dramatic fashion when Les buried a clutch birdie putt on the final hole to avoid a playoff and secure the championship. Tournament coverage afterward described him as “the greatest player in tournament history.”

At that point, Les had already become the first four-time champion in Shootout history.

Most players would be satisfied with that legacy.

George Les kept going.

In 2023, he captured championship number five alongside Manolitsis at George W. Dunne National Golf Course, officially becoming the tournament’s only five-time champion at the time.

And then came 2025.

The 30th edition of the Invitational Shootout already carried added significance because of the tournament’s milestone anniversary. But the story became even more memorable when George Les teamed with George Les Jr. to win the championship.

That victory was different.

It was no longer simply about collecting another trophy. It became a passing of the torch — a grandfather and grandson winning together on one of the biggest stages in tournament history.

And with that win, the number changed from five to six.

Six championships.

A number that feels almost untouchable in an event this competitive.

What makes Les’ dominance even more impressive is the era in which he accomplished it. The Invitational Shootout has consistently featured strong fields, experienced scramble players, and countless teams capable of going low. Winning once requires talent. Winning repeatedly requires something deeper: composure, timing, chemistry, and the ability to perform when every shot matters.

The greatest champions in sports often develop an aura around them — a feeling that they expect to win when the pressure is highest. George Les appears to carry that same quality at the Shootout.

Multiple-Time Invitational Shootout Champions

Player	Championships	Winning Years
George Les	6	2007, 2011, 2014, 2018, 2023, 2025
Paul Manolitsis	3	2014, 2018, 2023
Hennessy-York	3	2015, 2017, 2019
Ray Shinkle	3	2002, 2003, 2016
Walter Lis	2	1994, 2004
Billy Les	2	2013, 2022

Everyone else is chasing history.

George Les owns it.

There is also something fitting about the nickname “King George.” The Invitational Shootout has always carried a unique personality — competitive, slightly theatrical, deeply loyal to tradition, and filled with larger-than-life characters.

Every legendary tournament eventually develops its folklore, and George Les has become central to the mythology of the Shootout itself.

When future generations look back at the history of the tournament, they will see many worthy champions. They will see dramatic finishes, rivalries, and unforgettable moments. But above all, they will see one player whose record towers over the rest.

Six championships across nearly two decades.

A dynasty hidden inside a scramble tournament.

A benchmark that may never be matched.

At the Invitational Shootout, there are champions.

And then there is “King” George Les.

View the full Invitational Shootout history.

The 2026 Invitational Shootout Is Set to Ignite at George W. Dunne National

April 11, 2026 by retlaw17

On Friday, June 5, 2026, the greatest two-person scramble in the Midwest returns to center stage at George W. Dunne National Golf Course—a course known for its championship pedigree and a layout that rewards both bold play and steady nerves.

But let’s be clear:
This isn’t just about golf.

This is about energy, legacy, competition, and unforgettable moments.

A Tradition That Keeps Evolving

Every year, the Shootout builds on its own legend.

In 2025, we saw everything from emotional family triumphs to fierce competition for the coveted McMouw Cup. A grandfather-grandson duo stole hearts with a story that reminded everyone why this event is different—it’s not just about winning, it’s about who you share it with.

And then there’s the competition itself.

Teams don’t just show up—they come ready. Ready to fire low scores. Ready to outplay, outlast, and out-celebrate. Ready to etch their names into Shootout history.

Why George Dunne Is the Perfect Stage

There may not be a better public course in the Chicago area to host an event like this.

George W. Dunne National Golf Course delivers:

Championship-caliber conditions that demand precision
Wide but strategic fairways that reward smart aggression
Greens that test your nerve when it matters most

It’s the kind of course where anything can happen—and usually does.

The Shootout Experience

From the first tee to the final putt, there’s a pulse to this event:

Teammates locked in and feeding off each other
Friendly trash talk echoing across fairways
Clutch shots that swing momentum in an instant
Laughter, pressure, and adrenaline all blending into one

Because every Shootout produces moments that get talked about all year long—the shots, the comebacks, the unexpected heroes.

2026: Bigger, Louder, Better

If recent years are any indication, 2026 is shaping up to be the most electric Shootout yet.

New storylines will emerge
New champions will rise
New memories will be created

And somewhere on that course, on a crucial hole, at a pivotal moment…

someone is going to hit the shot of the day.

Are You Ready?

Whether you’re a returning competitor or stepping into the Shootout for the first time, one thing is certain:

You won’t forget it.

So mark your calendar:
Friday, June 5, 2026
George W. Dunne National Golf Course