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The Invitational Shootout

Two-Person Scramble Charity Golf Event

Top Ten Greatest Moments in Shootout History

May 11, 2020 by retlaw17

In the history of The Invitational Shootout, 900+ golfers have hit over 175,000 golf shots and 36 men have been crowned Champion. Here are the ten moments widely considered to be the greatest in Shootout history.

10. Russelberg sinks 55-foot putt on second hole of sudden death playoff to win in 2000.

The 2000 tournament, which was the only event that was rescheduled due to rain, was contested at Prairie Bluff Golf Course in Romeoville. The tournament also featured a sudden death playoff between the teams of Brian Jones and John Russelberg and Walter Lis and Roger Yaffe.

With a large gallery in tow, both teams parred the 413-yard par four opening hole of the playoff. The second hole is a 369-yard dogleg left to a raised green. Lis and Yaffe found the green on their approach and were left with a 25-foot putt for birdie, while Jones and Russelberg faced a 55-foot snake with multiple breaks.

PRAIRIE-BLUFF-2NDHOLE

Prairie Bluff – Second Hole

Jones’ attempt missed left, but provided John Russelberg with an easy teach to correctly see the undulations. Russelberg sank the clutch bomb for birdie and neither Lis nor Yaffe were able to answer, leaving Jones and Russelberg to celebrate their incredible sudden death triumph.

9. Pat Walsh drives 300-yard 18th hole for the victory in 2001.

After nearly five hours of back and forth battle, the teams of Pat Walsh and Chris Wolak and Tom Senne and Walter Lis were tied and playing in the same foursome with a single hole left in the 2001 Shootout. Senne and Lis hit first and found the fairway on the 305-yard par four 18th hole at Maple Meadows.

After Wolak hit his tee shot, Pat Walsh pulled a driver from his bag and aimed for a narrow strip of landing area near the front of the green. No previous teams had even attempted to hit the green off the tee that day, but Walsh threw caution to the wind and hit one of the most remarkable drives in Shootout history. His tee shot stopped just short of the green, allowing Walsh and Wolak to convert the birdie and steal the coveted green jackets once again from the four-time runners up, Lis and Senne.

8. Marziani and Murnane become first team to win two titles in 1998.

With the tournament celebrating its fifth anniversary, The Invitational Shootout made its first visit to Maple Meadows Country Club in 1998. The defending champion Maione brothers were unable to return to defend their crown, but the 1996 champions, Mike Marziani and Mark Murnane were on hand to demolish the competition at the event’s new home. With the victory, Marziani and Murnane became the first team to win The Shootout twice, a record that has been tied four times. However, no team has won three titles.

7. Armstrong’s defeat Les/Dallio on first hole of a sudden death playoff to win their first of two titles.

In the the third sudden death playoff in Shootout history, Shootout rookies Bryan and Brett Armstrong outlasted 2007 Champions Dominic Dallio and George Les to capture the 2008 Invitational Shootout at Waters Edge Golf Course. The brothers would win again in 2010, this time defeating Joe Hill and John Eterno by three strokes.

 

 

6. Mickey McDonnell overcomes a severe wrist injury to win the 2012 McMouw Cup.

Perhaps no moment in Shootout history was as inspiring as Mickey McDonnell’s determination and incredible pain threshold in 2012. Faced with a severe wrist injury, tournament organizers were shocked to learn that McDonnell would attempt to play. McDonnell had refused to seek medical attention for the wrist for fear that the doctors would not allow him to compete.

After struggling with a bulky wrist sleeve on the practice range, Mick discarded the brace on the first tee and proceeded to play the round of his career, leading his partner Ron Mouw to an improbable McMouw Cup victory over Ryan Mouw and Larry McDonnell.

MICK-MCDONNELL-WRIST

Mick McDonnell warming up his injured wrist.

5. Joe Hill chips in on second hole of a sudden death playoff to win in 2004.

After losing to Ray Shinkle the previous year in a sudden death playoff, the golf gods smiled on Joe Hill after he learned his long-time partner, John Eterno, would be unavailable for the 2004 Shootout. As luck would have it, 1994 Champion Walter Lis was available and the duo clicked immediately, leading the tournament by four strokes after the first nine holes.

After sinking a 75-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole, Lis made another improbable birdie on the 18th to catapult their team into a playoff with Aaron Knight and Mike Kroening. Hill and Lis were no strangers to sudden death playoffs, both losing in their previous attempts. However, their luck would change on the second hole of the sudden death playoff as Joe Hill would sink a 45-foot chip from just off the green for the victory in one of the most thrilling moments in Shootout history.

HILL-LIS-2004

Joe Hill and Walter Lis win their jackets.

JOE-HILL-2004

Joe Hill reacts to his championship chip.

4. Ace Troy cards the only hole-in-one in Shootout history in 2006.

With one swing of his trusty 9-iron, Mike Troy became the first player in Shootout history to card a hole-in-one, acing the 130-yard 12th hole in 2006. Tournament officials estimate that over 172,000 golf shots have been attempted throughout the 24 year history of The Shootout. In that time, only Mike Troy has been able bag an ace.

ACE_TROY

Ace Troy holds the hole in one flag.

3. George Les becomes first player to win four titles in 2018.

No player has been as consistent in the history of the tournament as George Les, winner of the 2007, 2011, 2014 and 2018 Invitational Shootouts. King George has finished in the top five in 9 of the 11 events that he’s competed in and even won the 2012 Shootout Wedge Tournament.

His 2018 victory was his fourth triumph. He won two with partner Paul Manolitsis and two with longtime partner Dominic Dallio.

KING_GEORGE

King George Les with Ray Shinkle and Mike Howley

2. Ray Shinkle becomes only man to defend his title in 2003.

Since his first appearance in the Shootout in 2002, Ray Shinkle has earned the reputation as the greatest ball striker in tournament history. The “Predator” won in his first appearance with partner Jeff Fernstrom in 2002 and again in 2003 with partner Brian Donley. Of the 36 men to win the Shootout since 1994, only Shinkle has been able to defend the title. To further cement his Shootout legacy, Shinkle would capture his third crown in 2016, joining King George Les as the only two players to win three Shootout crowns.

ray-shinkle-swing

Ray Shinkle

1. Hammer Hyland and Dave Neill become the first team to finish double digits under par.

There was great anticipation before the 2009 Invitational Shootout as one of the largest and strongest fields in Shootout history prepared for battle. Although there were 12 current or former champions in the field, it was a previously unknown team that would dominate the event like never before, shaking The Shootout to its core. Kevin “Hammer” Hyland and Dave Neill showed up at Water’s Edge with little fanfare and left with a legacy that has never been matched.

HAMMERHYLAND-NEILL

Hammer Hyland and Dave Neill

The two men lapped the field early, making victory a foregone conclusion before the start of the back nine. The only remaining question was answered on the 18th green with their final birdie, allowing the duo to become the first team finish to -10, a mark most felt would never be achieved.

Filed Under: 2018, Featured, History Tagged With: George Les, Joe Hill, Mick McDonnell, Mike Howley, Ray Shinkle, Walter Lis

PGA Tour Uses Shootout Format

May 26, 2019 by retlaw17

ZURICH-CLASSICAs the top players on the PGA Tour compete this weekend in the Zurich Classic, fans watching on national TV will be treated to an exciting new format for professional tournament golf. For only the second time since the Walt Disney World National Team Championship in 1981, team play will take place on the PGA Tour. Two-person teams are competing in New Orleans to become Zurich Classic champions.

Although this format will be new to most viewers, fans of The Invitational Shootout have enjoyed the non-stop excitement of two-person teams since the Tournament debuted in 1994. For the past 24 years, The Shootout has been the top two-person golf scramble in the Midwest. Now the PGA Tour is using the same recipe that Shootout fans have become accustomed to since Mike Roach and Walter Lis won the inaugural event at the Links at Carillon in 1994.

“I’ll be honest” said Shootout Competition Committee Chairman and 2004 Champion Joe Hill. “I’m surprised it took the PGA so long to follow our lead and create a tournament that uses the same rules, structure and format that we’ve perfected over the years. The Shootout pioneered this type of event and it’s actually quite flattering to see the PGA Tour is now using everything we created.”

“Make no mistake, the Zurich Classic has a long way to go before it can match The Invitational Shootout” said Lifetime Achievement Award winner Mick McDonnell. “It’s nice to see Patrick Reed and Patrick Cantlay on the same team, but do you think they could compete with our 2016 Champions Mike Howley and Ray Shinkle? I seriously doubt it. A two-person scramble is an entirely different beast and typically takes years for golfers to learn how to excell in this type of format.”

Top teams this week in the Zurich Classic include Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson, Patrick Reed and Patrick Cantlay as well as Bubba Watson and Matt Kuchar. How would some of these teams measure up to the best teams at The Invitational Shootout?

“Obviously we would be happy to host any of the teams from the Zurich Classic at the Invitational Shootout” said Joe Hill. “However, just because they’re PGA Tour players doesn’t mean they would automatically be wearing wool jackets in the Champions Ring of Honor. I’ll guarantee that a living legend like King George Les wouldn’t be even slightly intimidated by Patrick Reed or Bubba Watson.”

Whether the two-person format at the 2018 Zurich Classic will continue be popular is still unknown. What we do know is the Invitational Shootout will continue to break new ground this year and in the future as the premier two-person scramble golf tournament in the Midwest.

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: George Les, Joe Hill, Mick McDonnell, Mike Howley, Mike Roach, Ray Shinkle, Walter Lis

Aaron Knight Warns: “Don’t Poke The Bear”

April 1, 2018 by retlaw17

AARON_KNIGHT_BEARAfter watching his father Tom Knight reach the pinnacle of success winning the 2013 and 2014 Invitational Shootout Legends Division championships, perennial contender Aaron Knight recently announced his return to The Shootout for the first time since 2014. Long considered the best player to have never won The Shootout, Aaron will return for another shot at glory for the historic 25th edition of the top two-person scramble golf event in the Midwest.

Aaron Knight teamed up with his brother Seth in 2014 and in 2012 when they finished T4 behind Champions Dan Cerny and Kyle Kickert. Long-hitting Seth Knight won the 2012 long drive title, but the brothers struggled to play as teammates. Aaron hopes to find his groove in 2018.

“Seeing Dad make history twice made a huge impact on both Seth and I” said Aaron Knight. “We’ve always felt that the Knight family would win multiple Shootout titles, but I’ll be the first to admit that I expected to be the first to win. I’m expecting to play really well this year. I’m practicing harder than ever before to accomplish my goal of winning The Shootout.”

Aaron Knight is no stranger to close calls in the Shootout, losing the 2004 Championship in a sudden death playoff to Joe Hill and Walter Lis. Many players felt that the 2004 defeat left an enduring scar on the psyche of one of the Tournament’s top performers.

“I’m not sure we’ve seen the same Aaron Knight since he lost in 2004” said Joe Hill. “He still shoots consistently in low 70s by himself, but for some reason he’s struggled putting it together on Shootout Saturday. However, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him return to form this year at such an historic event.”

“There’s a saying in Pennsylvania that a wise man knows better than to poke the bear” said Aaron Knight. “I feel like I’ve been poked for too long and this year the Bear is ready to tear apart the competition on Saturday at The Shootout.”

Filed Under: Champions, Featured Tagged With: 2014 Invitational Shootout, Aaron Knight, Joe Hill, Seth Knight, Tom Knight, Walter Lis

The George Les Dynasty

March 12, 2018 by retlaw17

les_dynasty
It’s hard to believe that George Les first participated in The Invitational Shootout in 2007. Since that time, he has become the tournament’s greatest player and most dominant champion, becoming the first and only person to win three plaid jackets in the history of the event. His 2014 victory with partner Paul Manolitsis cemented George’s place in the record books as the best individual golfer in Shootout history.

His triumph in 2014 was over his son, 2013 Shootout Champion Billy Les. “I’ll be honest, winning last year’s event with Paul was an awesome experience” said George Les. “However, it was a bittersweet because as a father, you always want the best for your son. But as I told Billy after the tournament, you’ll have many more chances to try and match my accomplishments at The Shootout.”

After winning the 2007 Invitational Shootout in his first tournament appearance with Dominic Dallio, George Les won again with Dallio in 2011. With his most recent victory with Paul Manolitsis, George Les joined Walter Lis and Ray Shinkle as the only players to win The Shootout twice with different partners.

“What impresses me the most about George Les is his willingness to do whatever it takes to get the win” said 2014 Champion Joe Hill. “Most guys will have a tendency to be happy with their accomplishments and take their foot off the accelerator. Not George Les. That guy was built to be a champion and he’s proved it with a remarkable record under the bright lights of the biggest two-person scramble in the Midwest.”

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: George Les, Joe Hill, Manolitsis, Ray Shinkle, Walter Lis

Shootout Legend Guarantees Championship

June 4, 2015 by retlaw17

senne_guaranteeFew players in Shootout history command respect like Tom Senne. One of the 16 players to compete in the inaugural Invitational Shootout in 1994, this will be the 17th Tournament that Mr. Senne has been a part of. In addition to his 2012 Legends Division Championship, Tom is an Invitational Shootout Lifetime Achievement award winner and has finished runner-up in the Shootout a record five times.

“When you talk about Tom Senne,the first thing that comes to mind is his incredible will to win” said 2006 Champion Mike Howley. “I’ve played with some great players such as Scott Pommo and Ray Shinkle, but no one has the intense desire to destroy the competition like Tom. His focus borders on fanaticism.”

Despite having a resume that few players in Shootout history will ever match, Senne’s competitive flame still burns bright. This year he hopes to rekindle the spark that produced the Legends Division title in 2012 with his father Bob Senne.

senne_swing“I’m not going to lie, I expect us to win the title this year” said Tom Senne. “In fact I guarantee we’ll win the Legends Division. When dad and I are really on our game, we’re pretty much unstoppable. The Shootout is the biggest event of the year and I can’t wait to prove ourselves once again.”

The Senne’s will have three potential chances to pick up a trophy on Saturday at the 2015 Invitational Shootout. They qualify for the Super Legends, Legends and full field divisions.

“If there’s a team out there that could qualify for all three divisions and still win the full field tournament, it’s definitely the Sennes” said two-time Champion Walter Lis. “Tom and his Dad absolutely won’t quit until they achieve their goal. It’s always been that way and it’s a major reason why they are so respected by their fellow competitors. Golf is not a game of perfect, but don’t tell Tom Senne that.”

Filed Under: 2015 Tagged With: Bob Senne, Lifetime Achievement Award, Mike Howley, Ray Shinkle, Scott Pommo, Tom Senne, Walter Lis

Will History Repeat Itself in 2014?

May 6, 2014 by retlaw17

Although it happened ten years ago, Joe Hill remembers his victory with Walter Lis in the 2004 Invitational Shootout as if it were yesterday. “It really doesn’t seem that long ago” said Joe Hill. “I started out red hot and Walter got us into the playoff. We played two holes in sudden death and I hit a long putt from the fringe for the victory.”

Hill and Lis defeated the team of Aaron Knight and Mike Kroening for the victory at Maple Meadows Country Club in Wood Dale. “I wasn’t surprised that Joe drained the putt off the green on the second playoff hole to beat us. He was playing terrific golf at the time and had a great deal of confidence. I told Mike that we needed to make birdie on that hole because Joe looked ready. Unfortunately, I was right.”

The victory at the 2004 Invitational Shootout was the first for Joe Hill and the second for Walter Lis. “I’ve won in 1994, 2004 and am expecting another title in 2014” said Walter Lis. “It’s great to look back on the victory in 2004, especially considering how hard we had to fight to get it. It’s a great reminder that the path to greatness is along with others.”

Filed Under: 2014 Tagged With: 2014 Invitational Shootout, Aaron Knight, Joe Hill, Mike Kroening, Walter Lis

Senne’s Capture Legend’s Crown

June 9, 2012 by retlaw17

He’s played in the fourth most Invitational Shootout tournaments and finished second more times than any other player, but for Tom Senne, all he needed was help from his father to become a Shootout Legends division Champion. Father Bob and son Tom Senne partnered together for the first time and brought home the 2012 Legends division title with a score of 1-over par 73. The Senne’s won by three strokes over the team of John Dillon and Ross Fisher, who carded a score of 4-over par 76.

“It’s kind of ironic that I needed my dad’s help to finally win here, after so many close calls over the years” said Tom Senne. “I guess it proves that my dad is still always right and that’s fine with me. He played really well today and allowed me to hit the ball as hard as I could. Who knew we would be such a good team?”

A 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award Winner, Tom Senne finished in second place in the 2007 Invitational Shootout, losing to Dominic Dallio and George Les by one stroke. He was tied for the lead heading to the 18th hole in the 2001 Shootout at Maple Meadows, only to be victimized by a miraculous birdie by eventually champions Walsh and Wolak. At the inaugural Shootout in 1994, Senne and partner Mike Howley finished in second place, two strokes behind Champions Walter Lis and Mike Roach.

“If there’s one thing Senne’s are good at, it’s fighting” said Bob Senne. “We might be down, but we’re never out. We knew that if we could keep making pars and find a birdie or two, we would be alright.”

Filed Under: 2012 Tagged With: 1994, 2007, 2012, Bob Senne, Dominic Dallio, George Les, John Dillon, Mike Roach, Ross Fisher, Tom Senne, Walter Lis

Dallio and Les Win 2011 Invitational Shootout

June 5, 2011 by retlaw17

DALLIO_LESDominic Dallio & George Les overcame a torn contact lense and a torrential downpour to capture the 2011 Invitational Shootout. This was the second title for the team of Dallio & Les, who also won in 2007 when they held off Walter Lis and Tom Senne for a one shot victory.

Dallio & Les started their round quickly, with three birdies in their first five holes. Then catastrophe struck when Dominic accidently tore a contact lense. At nearly the same time, play was halted due to weather, providing a brief window of opportunity for Dallio’s fiancee to arrive with a replacement lense, right before play resumed.

“After we started so well, I couldn’t believe that I had torn my contact lense” said Dallio. “It was the last thing I expected to happen. Thankfully, we were able to call for a replacement during the weather delay and use that time to regroup.”

Despite somewhat soggy conditions after the rain delay, Dallio & Les kept the pressure on and finished with a remarkable 9-under par round of 63. The duo won their first Shootout in 2007 with a 6-under par 66.

Filed Under: 2011 Tagged With: 2011, Dominic Dallio, George Les, Tom Senne, Walter Lis

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

George Les Guarantees Victory

May 30, 2009 by retlaw17

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.

Filed Under: 2009 Tagged With: 2009, Dominic Dallio, George Les, Ray Shinkle, Walter Lis, Water's Edge Golf Club

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