The Invitational Shootout

Two-Person Scramble Charity Golf Event

Deer Antler Spray Banned from The Shootout

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612_VJWith the news that three-time major champion Vijay Singh has admitted to using a deer antler spray, which contains a substance banned by the PGA Tour, the Invitational Shootout Competition Committee has announced that it will be following a similar protocol to the PGA Tour. All Shootout competitors are now prohibited from using deer antler spray or products that contain the banned substance IGF-1. This proactive move follows the guidelines set over the past decade by the Shootout Competition Committee in eliminating performance enhancing drugs from competition.

“Due to his admitted involvement with deer antler spray, Mr. Singh will not be allowed to compete in The Invitational Shootout” said Competition Committee spokesperson and 2009 Invitational Shootout Champion Dave Neill. “The two-person format of our great event is built around integrity and a completely level playing field. At this time, we do not feel that Mr. Singh, nor another golfer using deer antler spray, is competing within the lofty guidelines that we hold ourselves to.”

Since the first event at The Links at Carillon in 1994, the Competition Committee has worked diligently to monitor and police all competitive aspects of The Invitational Shootout. Due to these efforts, the Shootout continues to provide a level playing field for all participants so that the true champions can be decided on the golf course.

“I give the Competition Committee a lot of credit for policing the use of banned substances among the golfers” said 2004 Invitational Shootout Champion Joe Hill. “My partner and I play clean and we expect everyone else to play by the same rules.”

Garcia and Les Win The 2013 Invitational Shootout

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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.”

Shootout Rookies Feeling the Heat

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TOM_LANG_FIRETom 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.

Will 2013 Bring King George The Third?

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KING_GEORGEFew players in the history of The Invitational Shootout can match the performance of George Les. A two-time Shootout Champion and the winner of the inaugural Shootout Wedge Tournament, “King George” has consistently proven himself under the intense pressure on golf’s biggest stage.

Les quickly made an impact in his first tournament, winning the 2007 Invitational Shootout with long-time partner Dominic Dallio. He lost in a playoff in 2008 to the Armstrong brothers and finished second to Kevin “Hammer” Hyland and Dave Neill in 2009. George returned to glory once again in 2011 with an impressive three stroke victory. Les and Dallio finished second last year to 2012 Champions Dan Cerny and Kyle Kickert.

“I think people have a tendency to overlook George because he’s just so consistent” said 2009 Champion Dave Neill. “The guy seems to figure out a way to be in the hunt year after year. His consistency is really quite amazing.”

It’s stunning to measure the incomparable excellence and consistency of George Les’ brief Tournament history. In his six-year career at The Shootout, George has won twice and finished second three times. All told, the team of Dallio and Les are a combined 35 under par since 2007, a jaw-dropping 21 strokes better than any other team.

“I think George really does intimidate a lot of guys in The Shootout to the point where they start pressing immediately” said 2004 Champion Joe Hill. “They know George will be posting birdies from the minute he grabs a club and they feel they have to attempt abnormally difficult shots to match his brilliance. However, they wind up playing themselves out of the Tournament.”

“The guy has finished in the top two just about every time he’s played” said 2004 runner-up Aaron Knight. “He’s obviously proven himself to be the best player out here, so all we can do is try to prevent King George from grabbing his third crown.”

Shootout Competition Committee Reviewing EZeeGolf Allegations

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On Tuesday, April 23, 2013 the Shootout Competition Committee (the “Committee”) convened an emergency meeting at the behest of the reigning McMouw Brothers Champions, Larry McDonnell and Ryan Mouw. Allegedly, Michael McDonnell, who along with Ron Mouw lost the 2012 McMouw Cup in spectacular fashion, has ordered and plans to compete with a set of EZeeGolf clubs.

Ryan Mouw testified before the Committee and stated, “I have it on good authority that Mick already has purchased these EZeeGolf clubs and has them in the trunk of his car.” Ryan then presented the Committee with the video above that most would view as some kind of joke. “Mick realizes that the Shootout has not specifically banned the use of these clubs and that these may be the only clubs that he (Mick) cannot shank,” stated Larry McDonnell. In his concluding remarks, Ryan Mouw emphatically noted that “Mick McDonnell and Ron Mouw, particularly Mick, will stop at nothing to regain the McMouw Brothers Cup. While the Competition Committee correctly banned the use of deer antler spray, it also must act quickly to ban the use of these sham clubs before a mockery is made of this historic event!”

After several hours of careful deliberation the Competition Committee voted to approve the recommended ban on the use of EZeeGolf clubs during tournament competition. Mick McDonnell and Ron Mouw did not respond to the Committee’s repeated efforts to contact them. It remains unclear whether Mick McDonnell will opt to use the EZee clubs during his upcoming Swingin’ Seniors Golf League at Fresh Meadow Golf Club in Hillside.

Howley/Shinkle Announce Unlikely Partnership for 20th Shootout

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The stakes continue to rise for the 20th Invitational Shootout as two former champions and bitter rivals today announced a most unlikely partnership. Two-time Shootout Champion Ray Shinkle and 2006 Shoootout Champion have announced their intentions to compete as a team on June 1st in the 2013 Invitational Shootout.

Said Howley, “Following numerous inquiries from interested golfers looking to be my partner, I am proud to announce that I wish to give Mr. Ray “the Predator” Shinkle another legitimate opportunity at a Shootout Title. While Ray and myself have been fierce rivals for years, we both understand what it takes to be a Shootout Champion. Mark January, 15, 2013 on your calendars as the day that Team Howley/Shinkle sent shockwaves across the Midwest as the new team to beat in the Shootout.”

These two former Champions will bring considerable firepower to Water’s Edge as teammates this year. As individuals, they’ve won three Shootout titles with three different partners. Despite their incredibly high expectations, some have criticized this unlikely pairing and minimized their chances at success.

“I respect the heck out of these guys as individuals” said 2004 Champion Joe Hill. “But I really question their ability to play as a team. These two guys are used to having their own way, so what happens when they have to make sacrifices on the course? I just don’t think it will work.”

“It’s laughable to think these two guys will even crack the top five this year at the biggest Shootout ever” said 2009 Champion Dave Neill. “What have either of these guys done since 2006? They forget what The Hammer and I did in 2009. The game has changed and so has The Shootout.”