The most important shot in golf is the next one.
Ben Hogan, referring to The McDonough Open playoff
A tradition unlike any other
Diverging from the conventional captain and crew tournament structure, The McDonough Open distinguishes itself from other elite golf competitions through its innovative post-round alternate shot playoff. This unique format adds a strategic dimension, requiring teams, often comprised of five or more players, to thoughtfully decide when to take shots and when to defer to their teammates. It’s a game-changing approach that sets the tournament apart, emphasizing the importance of strategic decision-making for even the most skilled players.
In this playoff, legacies are truly forged. Grown men have experienced the full spectrum of emotions, shedding tears of both joy and agony. As the round concludes, those entrusted with the pivotal opening tee-shot often find themselves in solitary contemplation, fully aware of the challenge that lies ahead. It has been aptly noted that the quietest moment in one’s life occurs just before that crucial playoff tee shot is struck. Those who navigate the chaos and pressure skillfully set their teammates up for a delicate opportunity at birdie. On the contrary, those unable to withstand the intensity are left questioning their strategy, pondering if another chance at glory will ever come their way.
Amidst the first green, pressure steadily mounts. Even routine three-foot putts have been fallen short by two feet. Accomplished golfers have succumbed to the intense pressure, while traditionally less skilled players have risen to the occasion, executing five-foot putts with the precision of Tiger Woods. Surrounded by the entire field of players converging on the green, golfers step into the metaphorical arena. It is on the first and second greens at Red Maples that enduring legacies are made.
Right: Neil Cullen draining a twelve-foot putt to extend the playoff in 2011.
Tournament History
2023
Coming off an impressive debut season as a freshman on the Scranton Prep golf team, Ben Boyanoski had already faced some notable challenges. However, none compared to the intense pressure of a tee shot in the McDonough Open playoff. Positioned on the second tee, Boyanoski composed himself, delivering a powerful driving iron that soared just beyond the green, putting his team in a commanding position. A precise chip set the stage for a three-foot birdie putt, which his father confidently sank, securing the victory.
Having participated in the tournament since its inception, this triumph marked a historic moment as the first time anyone from the McGrath house (Michael and Michael McGrath) claimed the coveted jug.
2022
Just a month shy of his wedding day, Michael Brown remained undeterred and fully focused on the shot before him. Looking to become the leader in McDonough Open victories, he had a reputation to uphold. Despite the distractions that could have arisen, Brown’s dedication to the game prevailed. He executed a flawless tee shot, landing the ball just five feet behind the hole. None of his competitors managed to reach the green. Facing a delicate downhill slider, Cullen Roe skillfully placed his putt close enough for an easy tap-in, paving the way for Bryan Cullen to seal the victory. The team celebrated their success in a fitting manner—connecting with the putting surface in jubilant harmony.
2021
Every compelling tale features an antagonist, a character who adds intrigue to the narrative. In the McDonough Open, Muck McGrath assumes this role. Surprisingly, without even taking a swing in the playoff, McGrath led his team to a remarkable victory. Jim Henkleman, a newcomer to the McDonough Open, quickly embraced the spectacle and camaraderie at Red Maples. On this particular day, he not only welcomed the pressure-packed atmosphere but also conquered the greens with remarkable finesse. Describing his performance as dominating the course would be an understatement.
When Babe McGrath expertly placed the playoff tee shot within 7 feet, the responsibility to sink the crucial putt naturally fell to Henkleman. With composed confidence, he smoothly knocked in the birdie putt, clinching the title and forever cementing this as “the year Muck won.”
2019
A decade had elapsed since Mike and Jake Brown secured their sole McDonough Open title, leading pundits to question their ability to handle the playoff pressure. This year, the duo faced added intensity with the inclusion of Danny Swift on their team. Notably, golfers from California historically struggled with Red Maples’ challenging conditions, heightening the stakes for the father-son duo. Despite this, the team persevered and forced a second playoff hole, propelled by Brian Swift’s exceptional short game skills.
Merely a month earlier, Eric Collins celebrated the birth of his first child. However, the nerves experienced in the delivery room were eclipsed by the challenge he confronted on the tee of the second playoff hole. With all eyes on him, Collins executed a stellar drive near the green. The Browns, both senior and junior, demonstrated remarkable touch to secure a birdie, clinching the 2019 victory. The triumph ended the prolonged dry spell for Mike and Jake, with Danny becoming the first Californian winner. As the winning putt dropped, Collins and Brian embraced, declaring this moment as the highlight of their summer.
2018
Legendary golf icon Fred Couples attributes the refinement of his golf swing to the keen observations of Ed Cosgrove. However, in a remarkable turn of events, it was Cosgrove’s extraordinary skill on the greens that stole the spotlight. In a crucial playoff moment, Cosgrove enlisted the assistance of his teammate, Ned Cullen, renowned for his unique ability to read the challenging greens at Red Maples using his bare feet.
Having navigated the greens with finesse throughout the day, Cosgrove found himself twelve feet away from triumph. With unwavering confidence, he drew back his putter, and spectators held their breath as the ball gracefully brushed the edge of the cup before dropping in. The crowd erupted in cheers, and even Cosgrove couldn’t contain his laughter. A seasoned player throughout his career, Cosgrove realized that this moment marked the pinnacle of his golfing journey. Despite years of longing for a hole-in-one, it was the realization of becoming a two-time McDonough Open champion that truly mattered to him.
2017
In 2003, Jody McGrail and Dave Abel were the inaugural winners of the McDonough Jug. Yet, for the following 14 years, the formidable duo hadn’t relished the sweet taste of victory again. This year marked a significant turn of events as Jody’s sons, Patrick and James, joined the team in pursuit of securing another triumph. The pressure of the playoff failed to faze this team, blending seasoned veterans with eager rookies. Executing their strategy flawlessly, the team clinched victory with a tidy par on the first hole.
2016
Renowned two-time McDonough Open champion Jamie Dempsey once humorously asserted that there are only three certainties in life:
- Death
- Taxes
- Sun on McDonough Open Saturday
While the sun indeed graced the players throughout the day, the commissioners faced a crucial decision when confronted with an approaching lightning storm at the beginning of the playoff in Waymart. In a historic move, a ten-minute delay was implemented, the first of its kind in Open history. Some speculate that this pause worked to the advantage of Bill Brown’s team. While this interruption clearly rattled other teams, Will Brown was loose and remained unfazed. Chosen by his father to take the opening tee shot, the younger Brown brilliantly hit it to within three feet of the cup. With the storm now a distant memory, Bill Brown skillfully lagged the three-footer to tap-in range. Vince McAndrew cleaned it up, securing the victory for the team.
2015
In August 2015, emotions ran high at the McDonough Compound. The passing of Gal, the family’s beloved historian and founding member of the McDonough Open just a week before the 13th edition of the tournament, cast a poignant shadow. Despite the heavy hearts, the joy of the game prevailed.
As the playoff unfolded, Cullen Roe aspired to etch his name into the tournament’s storied history. Presented with an eight-foot opportunity, Cullen knew that a birdie had never been made on the first hole of the playoff. Many golf historians wondered aloud if it were even possible. Cullen embraced the challenge, drawing strength from the memory of Gal. Confident that the putt would find its mark, he watched diligently as the ball left his club. A moment later, with the ball in the cup, Cullen turned and coolly celebrated with his teammates. Departing the green with a sense of accomplishment, Cullen was seen looking to the sky quietly conveying gratitude to Gal. What began as a trying month evolved into a jubilant celebration. Once again, a few of Gal’s boys emerged as champions, turning adversity into triumph.
2014
It has been said that the most formidable challenge in sports is to secure consecutive victories as a McDonough Open Champion. Many golf pundits openly questioned the feasibility of such an accomplishment. Each year presented new challenges and variations in team dynamics. To the uninitiated, the playoff might seem like a game of chance. However, Matt Butler, already a two-time champion, understood the specific demands necessary to claim the coveted jug.
After sinking a remarkable fifteen-foot putt just to qualify for the playoff, Butler showcased his championship-caliber prowess by leading his team to victory with exceptional shots on both playoff holes. When Kevin Weir confidently sank the winning putt on the second hole, he, Butler, and Chris Farrell ascended to the status of sports royalty, achieving back-to-back triumphs for the first time. Recognizing the significance of this achievement, the team celebrated in a manner befitting the occasion, prompting Weir to rhetorically ask the next morning, “so who won yesterday?”
2013
Quinn Cullen has soared to remarkable heights in his sports career, excelling as a lacrosse standout at St. Joseph’s University. Despite the challenges of collegiate sports, Quinn once remarked that, statistically speaking, securing a McDonough Open title is a more formidable accomplishment. However, the valuable lessons learned from his elite-level lacrosse experience have equipped him for success in the demanding format of an Open playoff.
Quinn’s ball-flight is particularly well-suited for the challenges of the first hole at Red Maples. An astute observer humorously noted that it seems as if he is aiming to touch the clouds, only to have the ball land gracefully on the green. In 2013, the pre-tournament favorites capitalized on Quinn’s flawless playoff tee shot, propelling them to victory. This was the second win for Quinn and Ed Cullen, as well as Matt Butler.
2012
Neil Cullen embodied various roles in the lives of those around him: a devoted father to his four children, a loving husband to Tricia, a filial son to Mary Jane and Tommy, and a successful businessman, friend, and golfer. Yet, one elusive achievement remained: a McDonough Open victory. Neil’s legendary pursuit of the jug was marked by dedication. According to one of his sons, he could be found in the early hours of winter mornings, practicing putts, and visualizing himself with an opportunity to claim his first Open title.
A year following a heart-wrenching defeat, Neil orchestrated a triumphant victory leading a team consisting of his two sons and Michael Brown. Many golf historians hail Neil’s ability to rally his team after such a challenging loss the year prior as one of the greatest coaching feats in the annals of the sport. In the aftermath of the US Ryder Cup team’s disheartening collapse just one month later, some analysts openly pondered whether Neil would have been a more effective leader. Neil didn’t care for the external opinions. In his eyes, and in the eyes of his boys, he was the champion of the only event that mattered: The McDonough Open.
2011
Seeking a second McDonough Open title, accomplished junior golfer Ryan Brown recognized the need for seasoned expertise on his team. In his view, there was no one more qualified for the task than Jack Seher, a player six months his junior who had already secured twice as many McDonough Open victories. Seher’s legendary prowess in navigating the greens at Red Maples made him the ideal ally for Brown.
In the pivotal moments of the 2011 competition, Brown’s team, which also included Ed Cosgrove and Jamie Dempsey, consistently relied on Seher’s skill. When faced with a challenging one-footer to clinch the title, the four-man team turned to Seher. Emerging as the first person to secure three Open titles, Seher remarked afterward, “It’s not about how often you play golf, it’s about how often you win when you play golf.”
2010
In 2010, Chris Cullen spearheaded a formidable foursome to claim the McDonough Open title. Together with his three playing companions, Jerry Dempsey and sons JJ and Jordan, skillfully maneuvered through the playoff to secure a resounding victory. As the records attest, these four individuals stand alone as the undisputed champions of 2010.
2009
In 2003, when Mike Brown conceived this tournament, he envisioned a world where he and his three sons, the perfect foursome, would dominate the event for years. However, after a heart-wrenching loss in 2008, during which Mike missed a three-foot putt to secure victory, he was heard lamenting, “what good is it to have sons that are good golfers if they cannot hit it closer for me?”
The pre-tournament favorites faced immense pressure, with some questioning the strategy of letting Ryan consistently take the tee-shot without ever securing a win. As the round concluded, tensions ran high, and Michael and Ryan engaged in a heated exchange over who would take the opening shot. Once again, it was decided that Ryan would step up. Following a par on the first hole that extended the playoff, the three Brown boys were determined to prove their father wrong from the previous year. Three exceptional shots led to a tap-in par for their father. This time, they had it close enough for him. The 2009 champs.
2008
Fondly recognized as “Captain Lake Ariel,” Bill Harding expanded his captaincy to include Waymart on this pivotal day in 2008. Leading a team featuring his two sons, Glenn and Jack, alongside Ed and Quinn Cullen, Bill ensured that history would not repeat itself after his son Glenn missed a crucial two-footer the previous year. Stepping up as the unwavering leader, Bill designated Quinn to take the playoff tee shot onto the soft green, where Quinn’s high-arcing ball settled just ten feet from the cup.
Approaching his putt, Ed understood the significance of hitting it close to avoid triggering Glenn’s memories of the missed gimme from the prior year. With composed precision, Ed tapped the ball to within range, offering Glenn a genuine shot at redemption. Known for his prowess on the football field, Glenn showcased finesse as he delicately sank the one-footer, securing victory for himself and the team.
2007
“This is as close as any of us will ever get to the U.S. Open,” remarked Bob Brown shortly after the conclusion of the 2007 McDonough Open, where his team of nearly a dozen golfers emerged victorious in a competitive field. While some may view this statement as hyperbolic, Bob was alluding to the intense pressure of playing in front of dozens of fellow golfers, maneuvering through small green complexes, and enduring the challenges of a day when 85 players navigate a nine-hole course. Though many initially chuckled at Bob’s words, they turned out to be prophetic in the years that followed.
2006
In the aftermath of a heartbreaking collapse at the 2006 U.S. Open, renowned professional Phil Mickelson candidly admitted, “I’m such an idiot.” What many may not realize is that Mickelson’s sentiments echoed those of Matt Butler in the 2005 McDonough Open. Widely regarded as one of the tournament’s top golfers, Butler faced his own challenge when he duck-hooked his tee shot into the water on the second playoff hole. Seeking redemption in 2006, Butler found solace alongside the composed presence of Gene Roe and Thom Bynum, as well as Gene’s sons Cullen and Liam.
Guided by Cullen’s expertise on and around the greens, the team provided the support needed to soothe Matt’s nerves, ultimately enabling them to conquer the demons of the previous year. Together, Matt and Cullen led the team to a triumphant victory.
2005
It’s worth noting that when Bryan Cullen strategically positioned a cooler on the fourth hole, it wasn’t just for refreshments – it allowed him to observe the pin locations for every hole as he brought it out for placement. This clever tactic played a pivotal role in guiding Bryan’s team to victory in 2005, making him the first commissioner to secure the jug in only the tournament’s third year. Dick Jordan, Bryan’s brother-in-law, showcased his wizardry around the green, while Chris Cullen assumed the role of the vocal leader during the playoff that ultimately witnessed Jake Seher sinking a five-footer to clinch the victory in the third edition of the event.
2004
In 2004, amidst a formidable gathering of golfers, a team hailing from just a few houses down from the McDonough Compound showcased precision and strategic prowess on the course. Comprising Jim Brown, his son Patrick, father-in-law Martin Liquori, and neighbor Chris Kelleher, the team engaged in a playoff battle. The challenges inherent in an alternate shot format often lead to chaos, and on this particular day, three out of the four teams succumbed to double bogeys. However, Brown’s team skillfully managed a bogey, not only surviving but also securing victory in the second edition of the event.
2003
As the first tee shot soared in the air in the 2003 McDonough Open, speculation ran rampant regarding who would emerge as the jug’s rightful owner. Amidst a field of over 70 competitive golfers, one individual managed to slip under the radar: T Harding. Although not a golfer by trade, T possessed an extraordinary knack for leading a group of men in this particular setting. In the playoff, T’s exceptional putting skills played a pivotal role in guiding his team to victory, comprising his cousin Tom Sabaitis, brother-in-law Jody McGrail, and Dave Abel.
In the two decades that followed, over 75 individuals have left their mark on the jug. However, only this quartet of men can proudly declare themselves as the inaugural champions. Their legendary achievement has even sparked discussions about their induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame.
The McDonough Open 