The Invitational Shootout

Two-Person Scramble Charity Golf Event

Hennessy-York and Smith Drop The Hammer

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2015 ChampionsThroughout the history of the Invitational Shootout, every great team has been compared to the gold standard performance, which occurred in 2009 when Hammer Hyland and Dave Neill destroyed the field and rewrote the record books with what many consider the most dominating performance in Shootout history. That comparison will no longer be necessary as a new gold standard was set at the 2015 Invitational Shootout by a team many consider to be the heir apparent to The Les Dynasty.

On a beautiful, sunny day at Water’s Edge Golf Club, the team of Shane Hennessy-York and Greg Smith finished 11 under par to win the 22nd Annual Invitational Shootout by three strokes over Derek Cook and Steve Jandernoa. The winning score of 61 broke the previous record of 62, set by the legendary team of Kevin “Hammer” Hyland and Dave Neill in 2009.

The Hennessy-York and Smith scorecard featured one eagle and 10 birdies along with a single bogey. After posting a four under par 32 on the front nine, Shane and Greg turned up the heat with a sizzling 29 on the final nine.

Their lone eagle occurred on the par 5, 15th hole, which ironically provided a bit of disappointment for the powerful duo. “We probably should have had at least one more eagle out there today” said Shane Hennessy-York. “We both just missed another eagle putt and had decent chances on a couple other holes.”

Shane swingThe Champions followed their eagle on the 15th with a birdie on the difficult 150-yard par 3 16th hole on the strength of a spectacular shot by Greg Smith that would earn the young superstar the closest to the pin award. Smith’s incredible shot finished just a few feet from the hole. The duo would go on to birdie the 17th hole, capping a stretch of four consecutive holes which they handled in five under par.

“This type of performance not only re-wrote the record books, I think it really changed the future of the Tournament” said 2004 Champion Joe Hill. “Shane and Greg winning the Shootout is obviously impressive, but to destroy a field that had nine former Champions including the GOAT, George Les, is amazing. But to beat the records set by The Hammer, that’s insane.”

“I’m not sure we’ll ever see a performance like this again” said Mick McDonnell. “These two guys came in here and destroyed a field that was stacked with killers. I think we all felt the Hammer’s performance would never be eclipsed, at least in our lifetimes. This changes everything.”

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.”

Hammer Hyland to Join 2012 Shootout Field?

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Multiple sources have indicated that 2009 Invitational Shootout Champion Hammer Hyland is considering participation in the 2012 Invitational Shootout. Widely considered as the most dominant player in the history of the tournament, Hammer has not appeared in the field since winning in 2009. Most experts anticipated Hammer’s return in 2013 for the 20th Annual Invitational Shootout. However, Hammer may be looking for a warm-up event before the major event next year.

Hyland and partner Dave Neill set the all-time record for best score with a ten-under par 62 during their triumphant surprise appearance in 2009. Hyland, a two-time NCAA All-American and Walker Cup finalist, destroyed the formidable Water’s Edge Golf Club with his prodigious power and laser-like short irons. Hyland and Neill’s dominance in 2009 was unprecedented, leading many Shootout teams to adjust their diet and training habits to catch up with the dynamic duo.

As an Invitational Shootout Champion, Hammer Hyland has until Wednesday, May 30th to officially accept his invitation into the 2012 field. If he does decide to participate, there is a good chance the competition committee could pair him with last year’s champions, George Les and Dominic Dallio.