The Invitational Shootout

Two-Person Scramble Charity Golf Event

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.”

2003 Invitational Shootout Playoff Revisited

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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.”

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.”

George Les Wins Inaugural Shootout Wedge Tournament

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One of the most clutch performers in Shootout history proved his mettle once again by winning the inaugural Shootout Wedge Tournament. Two-time Invitational Shootout Champion George Les performed remarkably to win this first-time event, nearly holing his second shot in the finals to secure the victory.

“This type of an event is right up my alley because I love to compete” said George Les. “When others start to get nervous, I get focused. My performance did not surprise me since I always play better when I have pressure and an audience.”

Tournament organizers were thrilled with the response to this new addition to Shootout Saturday and hinted at a bigger and better event in 2013. “I think we saw how much fun an event like this could be” said organizer Ray Shinkle. “We definitely learned a lot and are looking forward to making this a highlight of Shootout Saturday for years to come.”

George Les Guarantees Shootout Victory

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Speaking to a group of local leaders, for the third time in the last four years, two-time Champion George Les once again guaranteed victory in this year’s tournament. Winner of the 2007 Invitational Shootout Championship and the 2011 Invitational Shootout Championship, Les and partner Dominic Dallio are prohibitive favorites to win their third set of plaid jackets, becoming the first golfers to win the Shootout three times.

“Dom and I are very excited and very confident about our chances this year” said George Les. “In fact, I think it would be a real shock if we didn’t win our third crown this year. My short game has never been better and Dominic is hitting the ball father than ever. We’ve been at the top of the Shootout Power Rankings since last year and I don’t think anyone else is really close.”

Dallio and Les won last year’s event by shooting a 63, three strokes better than their nearest competitors. Both the second place (Burke/Burke) and the third place (Groark/Kickert) teams will not be in the field this year. The next closest team from 2011 was Vince Cainkar and Mike Howley, a team that finished a distant five strokes behind Dallio and Les.

“George Les is definitely the favorite” said 2004 Invitational Shootout Champion Joe Hill. “But John Eterno and I aren’t going to lay down for anyone.” Two-time Champion Ray Shinkle agreed “Listen, Dom and George are a great team. But they could bring back Hammer Hyland and we’re still not going just give him the trophy. Let’s see what happens on Shootout Saturday.”

Aaron Knight Crowned People’s Champion

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After losing in a playoff at the 2004 Invitational Shootout, most experts believed Aaron Knight was poised for greatness. His silky swing and competitive personality was unique among Tournament competitors. After finishing sixth with partner Tony Bruno in 2003, Knight came painfully close in 2004 with partner Mike Kroening.

Despite all that potential, nearly ten years after his first appearance at The Shootout, Aaron Knight is still searching for his first victory. This troubling fact confounds many Shootout Champions who expected Knight would eventually join their ranks.

“With his ball striking and temperament, I’m stunned that Aaron Knight hasn’t won yet” said 2004 Champion Joe Hill. “Let’s face it, Aaron’s got a great swing and a solid short game” said two-time Champion Ray Shinkle. “It doesn’t make sense why he hasn’t won yet.” Said 2009 Shootout Champion Hammer Hyland “Aaron’s got what it takes to win this thing. Unfortunately, he just hasn’t done it.”

Although he’s certainly disappointed in his fruitless quest for the plaid jacket so far, Knight is far from giving up. “Listen, I’ve had my chances” said Aaron Knight. “But for one reason or another it hasn’t worked out yet. And despite my setbacks, I’m still one of the most popular players in the history of The Shootout. In fact, I’ve heard from a lot of supportive fans who really want me to win. At this point in my career, I feel like I’m The People’s Champion, which is pretty cool.”

Ten Years Later, Ray Shinkle Still Stands Alone

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HOWLEY_SHINKLE_225After winning the second of back-to-back Invitational Shootout championships via a thrilling playoff victory in 2003, it was clear Ray Shinkle had earned his place in tournament history. Ten years have passed and he still stands alone as the only man to have won The Shootout in two consecutive years with two different partners.

In the years since the Donley/Shinkle victory in 2003, the majority of plaid jackets have been worn by long-time teammates. Victorious teams such as Welder/Wits, Dallio/Les and the Amstrongs have played together in the Shootout for multiple years. In fact, since Shinkle’s remarkable feat in 2003, only the 2004 Invitational Shootout Championship team of Hill/Lis have played in multiple Shootouts individually, while winning in their only Shootout performance together.

“I think we’ve entered the era of consistent teams in The Shootout” says Mike Howley. “It’s doubtful that we’ll see anyone ever approach Ray’s record of back-to-back wins with different partners. Now days, teams are practicing together, detailing strategies and playing to their strengths. It’s a different world.”

“Ray definitely changed this event, he’s had very much the same impact Arnold Palmer has had on The Masters” said Joe Hill. “His charisma and magnetism attracted a whole new audience to The Shootout.”

Garcia/Waites Pummel Shinkle/Lyons After Months of Shinkle Smacktalk

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GARCIA_WAITESMonday morning payback was tough for two-time Champion Raymond Shinkle and his partner Patrick Lyons. After casually dismissing the skills of Alabama Al and El Chupacabra Garcia for several months preceding the Shootout, Ray Shinkle is stuck eating something that he is unaccustomed….CROW!

Garcia/Waites posted an impressive -2 score that was even more remarkable considering that Alabama Al had arrived in his pick up truck just 1/2 hour before the start of the Shootout after driving through the night from Talledega Springs, Alabama. Al said that for the first nine he was still wired from drinking a six pack of Diet Mountain Dew during the lengthy drive.

The Diet Dew buzz eventually wore off for Alabama Al on the back nine, but that is where Garcia came alive. El Chupacabra Garcia, like the mythical blood sucking beast, has a penchant for devouring his prey. Garcia never missed a fairway on the back nine and he and Waites hung tough to post a solid sub-par round for this pair that had never played golf together until the 2011 Shootout.

Indeed, little did Shinkle and Lyons know that they never stood a chance against this focused twosome. Equally alarming, is that Shinkle and Lyons continue to struggle ever since the Shootout moved to this tough southside track. While walking off the final green, Shinkle mumbled that, “this course has my number.”

Aaron Knight Looking for New Partner

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AARON KNIGHTWith just less than 3 months before the tournament, the Invitational Shootout Pairings Committee has heard from anonymous sources that Aaron Knight is shopping around for a new partner. Many still view Knight as the best player to have never won this prestigious tournament.

Shootout Champion Joe Hill thinks that Knight has a few more good years of golf left in him, “but he is obviously feeling the pressure as his window of opportunity to win this thing closes more rapidly with age and his deteriorating physical conditioning, or lack thereof.” Shootout Champion Mike Howley added, “Aaron has become increasingly aloof and solitary on the golf course with each passing year without a title. You can almost see the added stress on Aaron when the subject of the Invitational Shootout is mentioned. I really feel bad for the guy, but I think his new partner, whoever that may be, should be aware that he will be stepping into a very volatile situation.”

Ray Shinkle, a two-time Invitational Shootout champion, responded that “(he) could see things going south real quick if Knight’s new partner were to shoot poorly on the opening holes.” Shinkle then caught himself and refused any further comment on the impetus for Knight’s search for a new playing partner citing his desire to stay on Knight’s “good side.”

Mike Kroening Bags Two Turkeys

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MIKE KROENING TURKEYAnother year has passed and not much has changed. Former champions, Mike Howley, Walter Lis, Ray Shinkle and Joe Hill all had solid performances once again in the Shootout, a tournament that some golfers claim is more pressure packed than Q School or even the Ryder Cup. Meanwhile, nerves once again seemed to get the better of Aaron Knight, who under normal circumstances makes up for his lack of length with solid ball striking.

Mike Kroening, Knight’s long time partner, cut his two week turkey hunt short just so he could try to settle Knight’s annual jitters. Kroening commented, “Aaron is a nervous wreck out there! Perhaps he (Knight) should attend my annual month long annual turkey hunt before the Shootout to help clear his mind. Kroening (pictured), who bagged the nearly 35 pound turkey the day before the Shootout, remarked “I went from hunting turkey one day to playing with a turkey the next!”