The Invitational Shootout

Two-Person Scramble Charity Golf Event

Armstrongs Return to Shootout Glory

by

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.”

George Les Guarantees Victory

by

GEORGE LESWith a championship and runner-up finish in only two Tournament starts, it’s easy to see why George Les is confident about his chances at the 2009 Invitational Shootout. He and partner Dominic Dallio are certainly among the favorites to capture the title once again this year.

In fact, George is so confident in his team he has guaranteed victory on June 6th at Water’s Edge Golf Club. “I have no doubt that Dominic and I will once again emerge victorious at The Invitational Shootout” said Les. “We look forward to joining the legendary Ray Shinkle and Walter Lis as the only two-time Tournament Champions.

Shinkle Spooked By Black Cat

by

The cruel fate of bad luck finally caught up with two-time Invitational Shootout Champion Ray Shinkle on Saturday. While maintaining the outright lead in the Tournament, Shinkle became startled as a black cat strolled across his path on the 14th tee. A spooked Shinkle proceeded to double-bogey and bogey his next two holes, losing his chance for a third title.

Shinkle Makes History By Winning 2003 Invitational Shootout

by

Ray Shinkle re-wrote the record books once again by winning the 2003 Invitational Shootout with Bryan Donley. With the victory, Shinkle becomes the only person to win back-to-back Shootout championships with a different partner. Ray won the 2002 Invitational Shootout with partner Jeff Fernstrom.

“I’m really pleased with our performance today, especially under the intense pressure that we faced all day” said Shinkle. “To beat Joe Hill in a playoff is like staring down a rattle snake at feeding time. I’ll bet he’ll come back next year with even more intensity than he had this year.”

“What’s even more fulfilling is the fact that I won again with a new partner ” continued Shinkle. “A lot of guys thought Jeff Ferstrom did most of the work last year, so to come back with a new, more-mediocre player and still get the job done feels really good.”

Fernstrom and Shinkle Win 2002 Invitational Shootout

by

The largest field in the history of the Invitational Shootout were no match for the team of Ray Shinkle and Jeff Fernstrom on Saturday, June 8th at Maple Meadows Country Club. The duo set an Invitational Shootout scoring record of 65 and ran away from the competition to capture the 2002 Championship.

“I kept telling my partner Jeff that we’ve got to stay aggresive all day ” said Shootout champion Ray Shinkle, “with these scoring conditions and this large of a field, someone is going to go low.”

Neither Shinkle nor Fernstrom expected to lap the field of 56 golfers by four strokes. Said Fernstrom, “Ray was very adamant in making sure we continued to push for birdies throughout our round. We were the only team to birdie the first hole and we never stopped after that.”

The 2002 Senior Division champions were Victor Tocwish and Al Paszyna. Said Tocwish, while choking back tears, “Sometimes Al gets a little nervous in the big tournaments, but today he was terrific. He nailed knock-down 5-iron to a fade pin on the 17th hole that pretty much won us the tournament… for that I will always be grateful.”

Tocwish and Paszyna outlasted the Michigan-based team of Ken Sprague and Ray Azzolin by two strokes. “Illinois golf is a little different than it is in Michigan” said Ken Sprague. “But the element of competition stays the same, and I’m sure my partner Ray would say the same thing.”