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The Invitational Shootout

Two-Person Scramble Charity Golf Event

Invitational Shootout Qualifiers Face Long Odds

May 10, 2015 by retlaw17

shootout_golf_qualifying2As qualifying rounds begin this week, the Tournament future of dozens of Shootout hopefuls hangs in the balance. First conducted before the 1999 event, the purpose of the qualifying rounds is to give golfers of all skill levels the opportunity to earn an invitation into the Midwest’s most popular two-person scramble event.

In order to compete in any of the first five Shootouts, participants received an invitation directly from the Tournament Competition Committee. Golfers were selected based on their performance in other local events. Although this meant The Shootout would feature most of the top players in the area, many high-quality golfers were unable to make it into the field.

To help grow the Tournament and widen the competitive base, the Invitational Shootout Qualifying process was established. Since its introduction, seven Shootout champions have earned their way into the field by qualifying.

“I remember before our first Shootout at Maple Meadows back in 1999” said 2004 Champion Joe Hill. “John and I had to qualify to get invited and The Competition Committee was a little concerned whether we would be skilled enough to play. Both John and I played nine holes with a Shootout Committee member following us. Although I can’t remember the score, we didn’t have too much trouble making the cut.”

Although there were two qualifiers in 1999, Joe Hill and John Eterno were the only players to make the cut. The next year The Shootout had three times the number of players looking to qualify, so three different events were conducted. The three qualifiers were hosted at Flagg Creek Golf Course, Palos Municipal and River Bend in Woodridge.

Probably the most embarrassing qualifier was 2010 when Dave Hyland and Kevin Neill played their qualifying round at The Links at Carillon. No one knew that both Hyland and Neill played college golf until they hit their first shots. “Hammer” Hyland nearly drove the 330-yard first hole on the White Course. Hyland/Neill would go on to the set the all-time low scoring record in the 2009 Shootout. From that point on, players with scratch handicaps or better were no longer required to qualify.

This year’s qualifying rounds are expected to attract some of the best players in the Chicagoland area. With 2015 Shootout registrations at an all-time high, Tournament officials expect as few as four spots will be available to qualifiers.

“I’m working with a number of young players at Fresh Meadow Golf Club to help them get ready for their Shootout qualifiers” said McMouw Cup Champion Mick McDonnell. “With only a few qualifying spots available I feel bad for a lot of these guys who have been working on their game throughout the offseason.”

Filed Under: 2015, McMouw Cup Tagged With: Joe Hill, John Eterno, Mick McDonnell

2003 Invitational Shootout Playoff Revisited

April 9, 2013 by retlaw17

After setting a tournament scoring record with a 65 the year before, Ray Shinkle arrived at the 2003 Invitational Shootout determined to prove his first championship was not a fluke. Shinkle and partner Jeff Fernstrom dominated the field in 2002, winning by four shots on a treacherously hard and fast Maple Meadows Country Club.

To further prove his mettle and quiet the critics, Shinkle introduced a new partner in 2003, the unheralded Brian Donley. Unlike Fernstrom, Donley was a virtual unknown with a stack and tilt swing and limited experience in tournament golf, especially in an event with the pressure of the Invitational Shootout.

“As soon as I won in 2002, I heard a lot of critics saying Fernstrom was an elite player who could win The Shootout by himself” said Shinkle. “When I brought Brian in as my partner in 2003, I basically dared the competition to prove me wrong by testing our abilities. I had no idea how Brian would perform under the bright lights at The Shootout, but I knew my game was razor sharp and ready for the challenge.”

Shinkle’s wish was granted as the competition heated up quickly with multiple teams challenging Shinkle/Donley from the outset of the event. Ultimately, it was the team of Joe Hill and John Eterno who weathered the storm to post a two-under 68 at Maple Meadows and grab the early lead. As the other contenders faded, only Shinkle/Donley could catch Hill/Eterno, finishing with an identical 68 and triggering what would become a memorable playoff for the championship.

2003_JOE_HILL“When they told us that we were in a playoff, I had just ordered my food and beverages” said Joe Hill. “It was a bit unexpected as John and I both thought we won. We definitely didn’t go into that playoff in the best frame of mind.”

“After I saw Joe Hill wearing sandals and ordering his food and beverages, I knew we had the advantage in the playoff” said Ray Shinkle. “These guys were already enjoying themselves and Brian and I were preparing for battle. There were two completely different approaches leading into what would become the most pressurized golf hole of our lives.” As the combatants prepared for battle, the remaining field of over 60 golfers gathered on the 18th hole to witness a playoff for the 2003 Invitational Shootout Championship.

Shinkle’s observation proved to be correct, Hill and Eterno had lost their edge. Both players missed their tee shots, having to chip back into the fairway after missing out of bounds on the right side. The door was open and Shinkle knew it.

“When John and Joe went OB, I told Brian to grab his three metal and just find the fairway” said Shinkle. “They were looking at a probable bogey, so all we had to do was stay in the short grass. It was a great feeling when we found the green in two and knew all we needed was a two-putt for the win.”

After sinking the putt to claim back-to-back Invitational Shootout Championships, Shinkle shared the moment with the gallery. “To win my second title in front of a huge audience was really special. I had proven myself once again and established my place in Shootout history.”

Filed Under: 2003 Tagged With: Brian Donley, Jeff Fernstrom, Joe Hill, John Eterno, Ray Shinkle

Armstrongs Return to Shootout Glory

June 6, 2010 by retlaw17

2010 Invitational ShootoutUnder the threat of cloudy skies, brothers Brett and Bryan Armstrong prevailed over the largest field in event history to capture the 2010 Invitatonal Shootout at Water’s Edge Golf Club. The victory was their second, the first triumph coming in 2008 in a playoff over Dominic Dallio and George Les. This year Brett and Bryan finished with a 9-under par 63, three strokes ahead of 2004 Champion Joe Hill and partner John Eterno as well as the surging team of Steve Hedges and Ben Miller.

“I’m just speechless right now” said an emotional Bryan Armstrong. “We really didn’t have a great rhythm today, so we basically ham and egged it pretty well. Brett hit some big shots early and we fought hard. With all these great champions out here today, we knew we couldn’t quit until the final putt dropped.”

With the victory, the Armstrongs join the team of Mark Murnane and Mike Marziani (1996, 1998) as the only teams to win two Invitational Shootout titles. They also join an elite group of only six players, including Murnane, Marziani, Ray Shinkle and Walter Lis, to own multiple wool Champion’s jackets.

“As soon as we stepped off the Bucky Bus today I knew this would be a special day” said Brett Armstrong. “With this incredible field and the rich history of this event, you always expect fireworks at The Invitational Shootout. I’m just really proud of the way my brother and I performed under the microscope of such a major event. Hopefully we can improve on some things this summer and be ready if Hammer Hyland returns in 2011.”

Filed Under: 2010 Tagged With: 2010 Invitational Shootout, Ben Miller, Brett Armstrong, Bryan Armstrong, Bucky Bus, Joe Hill, John Eterno, Mark Murnane, Mike Marziani, Ray Shinkle, Steve Hedges, Walter Lis

Hill and Knight Going in Wrong Direction for Different Reasons

May 25, 2009 by retlaw17

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.

Filed Under: 2009 Tagged With: 2009, Aaron Knight, Joe Hill, John Eterno

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