The Invitational Shootout Competition Committee recently announced four special probationary qualifying exemptions into the field for the 2015 event. Both teams that were awarded exemptions did not qualify initially, but were given special status based on appeal.

The two teams that have received 2015 Shootout invitations are Ken Dorsey/David Lesinger and Matt Grant/Tom Jemilo. Dorsey/Lesinger lost their qualifying match at Flagg Creek Golf Course and Grant/Jemilo came up short at Palos Municipal Golf Course.

Special probationary exemptions have been granted annually to teams the Competition Committee classifies as “solid candidates” for improvement. Notable teams to receive qualifying exemptions include Jutkins/Ellis in 2004, Slinkman/Slinkman in 2008 and the 2012 Champions Dan Cerny & Kyle Kickert.

“Every year we see a lot of really good teams fail to qualify for The Shootout” said Competition Committee member Joe Hill. “Many of these teams are good enough to compete in the big tournament, but they either have a bad day during qualifying or they just make too many mistakes under pressure.”

“We’re always looking to improve the quality of the field, so we typically try to identify a couple teams each year that show enough potential to eventually become cornerstone teams at the top of the leaderboard. It’s really quite an honor to get picked. We often see these exempted teams perform really well because they practice their butts off to prove they belong in the best two-person golf scramble in the Midwest.”

Although Dorsey/Lesinger and Grant/Jemilo will now be in the field for the 2015 Invitational Shootout, they will have to earn their way back to Waters Edge in 2016 by posting a lower score than the previous year’s McMouw Cup Champions. The 2014 McMouw Cup winners were Mick McDonnell and Ron Mouw, who posted an 81 last year to win the Cup.

“Dave and I couldn’t be happier to finally accomplish our dream of playing in the Invitational Shootout” said probationary qualifier Ken Dorsey. “I grew up idolizing the legends of this event like Hammer Hyland and George Les. I guarantee you no one will be working harder over these next two weeks to be ready for the tournament. On June 6, we’re definitely going to beat Mick and Ron and earn our invitation for many Shootouts to come.”