2010 Headlines

Here's what's buzzing among the press as the JEV tourney approaches:

1. Will Dan VanderWal return to form and repeat as 2010 MVP?
2. How will necomer's Topliff and Kyle "The Kid" VanderWal fair under tournament pressure?
3. Has Jimmy Warner's finally "bought" his game to a new level with his $1,000 equipment purchases?
4. Will we finally get to see the long awaited "Clash of the Titans V" pitting Jon Vos and Dave Tanis against each other for the fifth time--a series of matches spanning 10 years that has never resulted in more than a 1/2 point to each?
5. Official photographer John Mulder has incredible pressure on him to produce live action documentary of this year's tourney. Can he play and click at the same time?
6. Will "VanderWal Slayer" Chris Grek return to form and extract his revenge on Danny Boy as he has time and again?
7. How will Ken Terpstra fair in his return--his first since 2007?
8. What tees will Jack Vos, Dan VanderWal, Jeff Tanis, and Bob Warners play from? All have switched tees last year. Will they return to their original starting tees, or will they play from where the left off in previous years?
9. How will the tournament fair at Belvedere?

Final Tournament Details

With the James E. Vos Memorial Tournament just days away the tourament committee announced today the tournament's official start times and events. The tournament officially kicks off Wednesday evening, June 9 at A-ga-ming Maplewood Ridge Condos with "The Gathering"--drinks, introductions, and fellowship. It is during this time we will toast the event's 23rd year, introduce new members and, once all participants have arrived, pick teams for the week and pairings for Thursday's rounds.

Wednesday, June 9
9:00pm "The Gathering"
-Welcome
-Introductions of New Invitees
-The Drawing of Teams
-The Naming of the Teams (selected by 2009's MVP)
-Thursday Pairings
-Retire

Thursday, June 10
7:30am - Sundance Course
2-man best ball match play event

1:30pm - Sundance Course
2-man best ball STROKE play event

-Evening libations
-Pizza supper in the condos OR dinner in Elk Rapids
-Friday Pairings
-Retire

Friday, June 11
8:30am - Belvedere Golf Club, Charlevoix, MI (later tee time to accomodate travel to Charlevoix)
2-man best ball match play event

2:40pm - A-ga-ming Torch Course (later tee time to accomodate travel from Charlevoix)
2-man scramble event

-Evening libations
-Pizza supper OR dinner in Elk Rapids
-"The James E. Vos Memorial Tournament Toast"
-Saturday Singles Pairings
-Retire

Saturday, June 12
8:00am - Sundance Course
Singles match play event

-Awards Ceremony
-MVP Selection and Presentation
-Cheers, Goodbye's, and Well Wishes
-Homeward Bound

Remaining Trip Details
-Total Cost is $394.40. That represents a $25 increase from last year ($370). The increase is directly due to the decision to replace Friday morning's round (played last year on the Torch course) with Belvedere Golf Club in Charlevoix. You have all already paid a $100 deposit which will be subtracted from your bill. You outstanding bill at A-ga-ming should be $294.40.
-We are in the Maplewood Ridge Condos--same as last year. Upon arriving, check in at the front desk in the main A-ga-ming clubhouse--a hexagonal wood structure. If you arrive later in the evening the building may be darkened, but open. You will find your room keys on the desk inside the clubhouse with your name on them.
-Food is NOT included in this package. The condos are equiped with small kitchens. Those sharing condos would be advised to bring snacks, breakfast food, beverages, juice, etc. The small kitchen in the A-ga-ming clubhouse serves burgers and such for lunch. I also think (but am not 100% sure) they serve some hot breakfast items.

My contact information is:
markrice6963@msn.com
616-560-3360 cell

2010 Handicap Indexes Posted

The James E. Vos Memorial Tournament Committee today announced the starting handicap indexes and tee box determinations for its field of sixteen. Leading the field with an astounding index of +7 from the black tees is Dan VanderWal. Dan created some controversy by moving to the way-back-black tees last year, but backed it up, blowing the field away with rounds of 76, 83, and 79 from the tips on the A-ga-ming Sundance course en route to going 5-0 and becoming the hands down 2010 Stroke Saver MVP trophy winner.

The tournament committee anticipates him staying at the tips, and the field awaits his decision which, in effect becomes a four stroke handicap index swing for him from 2009 to 2010. Dan entered 2009 with a +7 index, but from the blue tees. His decision to move back to the black tees allowed him to gain two extra strokes making him effectively a +9 from the black tees. He enters this year a +7 rated from the black tees. A move up to blues results in him giving up two strokes making him a +5 from the blue tees. The tournament committee wishes the best of luck to Dan VanderWal who will have extra pressure on him this year with his son, Kyle, along for the ride.

Close behind Dan is the rock solid Jon Vos. Jon's +9 from the blue tees is a two stroke upward slide from 2009 which is slighly deceptive. In six years, beginning in 2005, Jon has never been out of single digits, posting a low of +6 in 2005. Jon's "high" of +9 positions him as a very dangerous player coming into 2010.

Newcomers Ken Terpstra, John Topliff, Kyle VanderWal, Dave Tanis, and Jeff Tanis have all been handicapped in the low double digits: +10 to +14. With the exception of Topliff and VanderWal, all are based on the player's last year of play. John is brand new to the tournament and his handicap has been based on an estimate.

Movers and shakers from last year include Brian VanHall, Jack Vos, John Mulder, and Jim Warners. Mulder played spectacular golf, highlighted by a 94 on Sundance--his best round of the week--and had the biggest swing in handicap index, moving down 4 strokes from a +25 to a +21. The move was even more impressive considering, as the tournament's official photographer, he was constantly clicking the shutter of his camera while trying to play competitive golf. Way to go John. Behind John, but no less significant are

-Jim Warners, who posted a beautiful 84 on Sundance, moving his index down four strokes from +18 to +14.
-Jack Vos who with an 88 on Sudance moved from +20 to +17.
-Brian VanHall who blistered Sundance on the first day with rounds of 84 and 82. Brian drops two strokes and now sits at +11.

Name, Tee, Index
Chris Grek, white, 15
John Mulder, white 21
Mark Rice, blue, 13
Rodg Rice, white, 23
Dave Tanis, white, 12
Jeff Tanis, white, 13
Ken Terpstra, white, 11
John Topliff, blue, 14
Dan VanderWal, black, 7
Kyle VanderWal, blue, 10
Brian VanHall, blue, 11
Don VanZee, blue, 10
Jack Vos, white, 17
Jon Vos, blue, 9
Bob Warners, blue, 19
Jim Warners, blue, 14

Good luck Fellas!

2010 Rooming List Announced

While the pairings won't be selected until Wednesday evening before the tournament, the tournament committee has announced the tournament's room assignments. Those participants returning to A-ga-ming will remember 2009's lodging arrangements. This year will be identical to last year.

The tournament participants will occupy an entire building comprised of four condo units. The condo's command a sweeping easterly view of the eighth hole of the Torch course and Torch Lake beyond.

For more information and 360 degree tours of these condos just click on the link below.

http://www.a-ga-ming.com/?page=72991

Each condo unit is equipped with three bedrooms, each with two beds, sleeping up to six people per condo and a total of twenty-four golfers total. Since this year's tournament has just sixteen participants, we will have plenty of room.

Sharing condo units are:

Unit 1
Mark Rice
Rodger Rice
Jeff Tanis
Dave Tanis
John Topliff

Unit 2
Jack Vos
Jon Vos
Don VanZee
Brian VanHall

Unit 3
Chris Grek
John Mulder
Dan VanderWal
Kyle VanderWal

Unit 4
Jim Warners
Bob Warners
Ken Terpstra

Wednesday, June 9 Plans Set

Golf and travel plans for Wednesday, June 9 are set. By my count twelve of the sixteen participants in this year's tournament will be headed north, playing three different courses. Sadly, four of our members will be sufferring downstate until after work on Wednesday before venturing to A-ga-ming. Here are the current Wednesday plans as received by the tournament committee.

Eight participants in the 2010 James E. Vos Memorial Tournament will be honing their skills Wednesday, all day at Grand Traverse Resort. Thirty-six holes will be played at the Bear and then the Wolverine courses of GTR by:

Dan VanderWal

Kyle VanderWal

Chris Grek

John Mulder

Don VanZee

Jon Vos

Rodg Rice

Mark Rice

Tullymore Golf Club, a highly rated and award winning Jim Engh design in Standwood, MI will host Jim Warners, Robert Warners, and Kenneth Terpstra on Wednesday afternoon, June 9, afterwhich they will make their way to A-ga-ming.

Going rogue will be Brian VanHall who was last heard stating he was heading way north to play his personal favorite, True North Golf Club near Harbor Springs, MI--another award winning Jim Engh design.

Left muttering in West Michigan are:

Jeff Tanis

Dave Tanis

Jack Vos

John Topliff

who plan to head to A-ga-ming sometime after work on Wednesday evening.

Safe travels everyone!

More specific tournament details will be forthcoming in the next few days. Look or a detailed agenda, tournament handicaps, and a rooming list.

Belvedere Golf Club: An Interview with Head Pro Marty Joy II

Ah, Belvedere. The classic design from golf's Golden Age of course design. Belvedere has been a hidden gem to most northern Michigan golfers, but to lovers of golf history it is far from unknown. Our tournament committee had the privilege of sitting down with Belvedere's head pro, Marty Joy II.


Marty has been playing golf since he was four and has been in the golf business for twenty years. His resume includes Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, FL and Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, PA.

We hope you'll find this interview as insightful as we did, and that it will peak your interest, excitement, and anticipation for playing Belvedere Golf Club in a few weeks.

James E. Vos Tournament Committee (JEV): Tell us about yourself? How long have you been in the business, and what brought you to Belvedere?

Marty Joy (MJ): I've been in the golf business for over twenty years, working assistant pro jobs at the Copperhead course at Innnisbrook Resort in Florida and before that at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, PA. Before coming to Belvedere I played some mini-tour events in the west until 1999 when I took the assistant pro job at Belvedere. I've been head pro since 2008. I currently play only hickory golf clubs--all of which were made in the 1920's. I also host a hickory event at Belvedere in June. Contestants come from all over North America to participate.

JEV: Tell us about Belvedere.

MJ: Belvedere Golf Club was founded in 1925. The course opened for play in 1927. The course was designed by Scotsman, Willie Watson and built with 150 men and five teams of horses over a year and a half. Watson hailed from non other than St. Andrews, Scotland. Among Watson's other designs are U.S. Open sites The Olympic Club in San Francisco, Olympia Fields in Chicago, Interlachen, and Minikahta in Minnesota. Watson also designed Harding Park Golf Club site of the 2009 President's Cup.

You would call Watson's design a minimalist design as he really focused on the natural topography of the area and did not try to turn his designs into something unnatural. The creek that meanders through the front nine at Belvedere is used effectively with relation to the tees shots off of holes #2 & #3, and again comes into play on your second shot on #5. Belvedere holes #1, #11 and #16 are featured and written about in by George C. Thomas in his seminal book on golf course architecture: Golf Architecture in America.

The 16th hole is one of the best short par 4's in golf and is Tom Watson's favorite hole on the course. The long narrow green, built into a hillside slope, leaves the aggressive player scrambling back up a steep hill and the non-aggressive player who bailed out way left will find their third shot most difficult to stop on its way by the hole.

If you ever have a chance to play hickory golf clubs at Belvedere you will soon realize that the bunkering is precise and troublesome for the equipment of the time. Modern equipment can sometimes overpower Belvedere, however, the subtle green and thick rough can prevent the established player from going low.

The view from the #9 tee overlooking the entire front nine is wonderful. Belvedere means "beautiful view" and from #9 tee you can see why.

JEV: What attracted you to Belvedere? What is it you most like about the course?

MJ: I grew up in Charlevoix and was lucky enough to come back home after years on the road, and even luckier to get one of the best jobs in the business. I played Belvedere as a child and through high school, have grown up with many of the current members and have established solid and rewarding relationships with all the membership.

Belvedere is such an historic place. I love the history of golf and there is plenty of history at Belvedere. The course is so well maintained and designed that it has become a favorite of generations of golfers. Short walks from green to the next tee makes walking Belvedere a pleasure. The course doesn't over punish. The best golfers in the world can play here and compete and have a wonderful time and so can the 40 handicap. Open green fronts allow the high handicappers to roll the ball onto the green without being over penalized by deep pot bunkers or unfair green complexes. It truly is a club that you can play every day and not get tired or discouraged of its features.

Favorite hole? 15, 3 & 9 are rewarding to my game. Getting par on holes 4, 12 & 18 are necessary to post a good score. I've had only one hole in one at Belvedere, on #8.

JEV: Belvedere has such a rich history. Most people aren't aware what a hidden gem it is. What stands out to you about the course from a historical perspective?

MJ: Belvedere is steeped with tradition and history. From the first days that it opened for play in 1927 it was marked as one of the finest courses you could play in the entire Midwest. People came by train from St. Louis, Chicago, Detroit, Nashville and Cincinnati to vacation in Charlevoix and play the Belvedere. With over 100 caddies, golfers put on their plus-fours and overcoats and thrashed away at the most modern golf club of its time.

Walter Hagen, Gene Sarazen, Tommy Armour, Horton Smith, Bobby Jones, Leo Diegel, Denny Shute--all the major champions of the time--competed and enjoyed Belvedere. Later, Sam Snead, Ken Venturi, and Tom Watson were sent north to check out Belvedere.

Ty Cobb played with a minor league team in Charlevoix and would play Belvedere when the team was in town. He would play here with fellow Georgian and Altanta's East Lake Club member, Bobby Jones when they both would be in Charlevoix.

Golfers of 1920's and 30's--Hagen, Sarazen and Amour--were playing in a transitional period of golf where the sport, having always been considered the finest amateur game in sport, was changing into a professional money game. Jones remained an amateur his entire life and thought that money would ruin the game, however, influential characters like Hagen brought the crowds to the golf course circuit that were willing to pay to watch the best players in the world play golf. Void of an actual PGA Tour, these characters would board trains and play money exhibition tournaments at various locations through the summer months. The Great Lakes Open was the name of such a stop at Belvedere and was played there for over five years.

Belvedere hosted the Michigan Amateur for 38 consecutive years: from 1930 to 1988. In hosted its 39th Michigan Amateur in 2003 and will host again in 2014.

JEV: What's the current course record? Who set it? What's your lowest recorded score there?

MJ: The course record is 64 held by Chuck Kocsis in 1964. Walter Hagen shot 65 the first time he visited Belvedere in 1933 (he bogeyed holes 7 & 13), and held the course record until Kocsis beat him in '64. During the 2003 Michigan Amateur, Andy Ruthkowski (MSU golf team) shot 64 to qualify for match play competition. This was quite a round as the greens were quite quick, fairways tightened considerably, and the rough 8 inches.

Personally, 67 is my best round; 73 with hickory shafted clubs.

JEV: Tom Watson grew up playing there as a kid in the summers when his family would vacation at Walloon Lake. Tell us a Tom Watson story. When was the last time he paid a visit?
MJ: Tom's dad, Ray Watson would spend a month every summer at a cottage on nearby Walloon Lake. They played Belvedere often. Tom considers Belvedere one of his favorite courses in the world to play right alongside Augusta and Pebble Beach. Tom is considered an honorary member and he really loves northern Michigan.

When Tom does come to northern Michigan he walks one round at Belvedere, fishes Walloon Lake, and goes to one of the many fine restaurants in the area such as Argonne Supper Club. His last visit was in 2004. With his resurgence on the PGA and Senior tours, it may be a while before we see Tom Watson again.

The last time Tom was here, he was teeing off on the par 5 15th hole when one of our ranger's grandson's was teeing off on the par 3 14th. The grandson made his first ever hole-in-one...witnessed by none other than Tom Watson. Tom walked to the 14th green, shook the kids hand, signed his golf ball and posed for a photo. Tom is exactly as he seems on TV: gracious, polite, and a true gentlemen.

Pre-Tournament Warm-Up Round

Legend #2

Talk is beginning to circulate about a warm up 18 or 36 holes on Wednesday. Current discussions include Shanty Creek courses The Legend and Schuss Mt. Note: Cedar River is closed Wednesday, June 9. Other courses under consideration are GTR's The Bear and Wolverine or The Chief and Hawks Eye--two courses located just outside the entrance to Shanty Creek Resort.

Hawks Eye GC

Early discussions with the pro at Shanty Creek have provided a 36-hole rate on The Legend for $90 total. Other discussions are ongoing.

Current interested participants include Rodg Rice, Mark Rice, Jeff Tanis, Dave Tanis, Chris Grek, Dan VanderWal, Kyle VanderWal, and John Mulder. If you are interested in joining Wednesday's group, let tournament director, Mark Rice know by either responding to this post or by emailing him at markrice6963@msn.com

James E. Vos Tourney: Blizzard of 1990

For its first three years the James E. Vos Memorial Tournament has traditionally been held the first full week after the week of Memorial Day, around June 8-10. A little known bit of history is the first three years saw the tournament played in mid-May to take advantage of ultra-cheap golf rates.

That all ended in 1990--the year of the blizzard.

In three short years the tournament had grown from four people, to eight, to now, twelve in 1990. That year we said, "goodbye" to one-timer, John Anema, but welcomed five new tournament invitees: Steve Elenbaas (coming from Detroit), Tom Buteyn, Jeff Tanis, Dave Tanis, and Dick Anema (see picture above). Returning were founders Rice, Vos, Anema, and Vos, Sr; and second year invitees John Spoelhof, Steve Spoelhof, and Rice Sr. With the exception of Tom Buteyn, all have been regulars in the JEV tourney for many years.

Scheduled to be held Thursday night through Saturday morning, May 10-12, and contested over three Boyne courses-Heather, Ross (newly opened) and the Boyne Mountain's Alpine course, and with a whopping cost of $183.50 for three rounds, two nights lodging, breakfast, dinner, and taxes, the price represented a significant increase over the innaugural year's $121.

This was also the year the trip began to expand its golf days. While the official event didn't begin until Thursday evening, players began take additional time off and playing extra rounds leading up to the tournament. Such was the case for seven of the twelve golfers: Vos', Anema's, Rice's, and Tom Buteyn, all who chose to play 18 holes at Antrim Dells Thursday afternoon as a warm up to the tournament.

Little did they know what awaited them.

Thursday morning began bright and clear, but a tad on the chilly side. Nice enough for golf and three junior Rice, Vos, and Anema chose to play an early morning round at Chase Hammond with Tony Vroon--a future JEV Tourney participant.

Joined in the afternoon by the Senior's, and Buteyn, they made the track north in sunny weather. By Cadillac things began to turn. A slow mist began, turning to a light rain. Upon arriving and Antrim Dells, and without the assistance of Dopplar Radar, they checked in and decided to play on--a big mistake.

Rain began more heavily by hole #2, the temperature dropped, and by the fourth hole, snow was falling. By the sixth hole it wasn't just falling, it was falling rapidly, and the wind picked up. Snow began collecting on the fairways, and by the 9th hole the players were putting through snow at which point they decided to call it a day.

The snow continued in buckets through the evening. Safely at Boyne Highlands, and joined by the rest of the tournament participants, they all decided to go for an after-dinner swim in the outdoor heated pool---pelted by the falling snow.

SIX INCHES fell that night causing a, ahem, slight delay in the next morning's tee times. Thankfuly, Friday morning dawned bright and sunny, but with six inches of new snow on the ground, The Heather course was far from playable, and the long wait begin. Breakfast, followed by another swim, followed by a Boyne Lodge hallway putting contest, and still the snow had not melted.

Thankfully, with a bright sun and warming temps, the snow finally abated enough by 2pm to make the Heather semi-playable. There was still snow in the bunkers. But the tournament prevailed, and the players played on, thankful they could get at least one round in on Friday.

The above picture is from that memorable, early JEV Tourney. You'll note from the picture the elder Anema is wearing a Calvin College sweatshirt. It happens to be Mark Rice's. The reason for that is Dick Anema, coming from Colorado, assumed warm temps and brought nothing but short sleeve shirts. He's lucky he brought a sole pair of paints. Every other items was shorts.

And so the Blizzard of 1990 shortened the event but created a lasting memory. Saturday's final round at Boyne Mountain's Alpine course went off without a hint of snow.

Other pictures of this event supposedly still exist, but have not yet surfaced. If you have any, please send them on to me.

1999: An Historic Tournament

The 1999 James E. Vos Memorial Tournament was monumental for several different reasons. First, after having played a hybrid version of Bay Harbor in 1998, the full 27-hole contingent of Bay Harbor was open in 1999 allowing the 1999 tournament to be played along its Links and Quarry nines for the first time ever. Second, the tournament was at the height of its popularity. No less than twenty-four players participated in the 1999 event which was staged over four Boyne courses: Bay Harbor, Monument, Heather, and Ross. Third and most notable, 1999 is known as the highly contentious "Year of the Tie." Those fortunate enough to have played will never forget the "The Tie." Hard fought, ultra competitive matches were played out over four rounds, pitting mostly Grand Havenites vs. Grand Rapidians--a model the tournament had followed for years. When the final putt was dropped, the matches ended in a tie. Having no official tie break rule, the Grand Haven team fairly assumed the tournament would follow Ryder Cup rules with last year's winning team--which they were--retaining the trophy. Having just busted their rumps over four rounds, the Grand Rapidians cried "foul," stating no such rule had ever been discussed. An intense "discussion" followed with no real solution attained for many years to come. Thankfully, the tiebreaker rule no longer applies since new teams are picked every year.

If you are a returning tournament participant, see if you can spot yourself in the photo, which was submitted to the Calvin Spark by Steve Spoelhof. It ran in the Fall 1999 issue.

Sadly, we miss some of 1999's player participants including Nick VanderWal, the Spoelhof contingent, Ryan Kanis, Ron Idema, and John Groenhuis. Perhaps we will gather them all back for the tournament's 25th anniversary in 2012.

Field Set for 2010 Tourney

The tournament committee today announced the acceptance of its sixteenth and final participant, closing the field of participants at sixteen for the June 9-12 event, now in its 23rd year.

Newcomer Mr. John Topliff of Saugatuck, MI joins the star-studded field of familiar faces Brian Van Hall, Dave Tanis, John Vos, tournament co-founder Jack Vos, and others.

While a newcomer to the tournament, Topliff is no stranger to northern Michigan golf or tournament golf. A long-time member of Mullet Lake Country Club near Cheboygan, MI Topliff used his time there to hone his sweet, country-club swing that creates a gentle draw on every shot.

His gentle spirit, easy-going nature, and sweet swing made him an easy and immediate selection by the tournament committee.

Topliff has been a colleague and friend of tournament co-founder, Mark Rice, for over fifteen years while they were employed by Zondervan. John also knows Rodger Rice.

John joins:

Mark Rice
Rodger Rice
Jack Vos
Jon Vos
Don VanZee
Brian VanHall
Jim Warners
Robert Warners
Dave Tanis
Jeff Tanis
Chris Grek
John Mulder
Dan VanderWal
Kyle VanderWal
Ken Terpstra

as the now full-field for the 2010 James E. Vos Memorial Tournament.

Historic 3rd Generation Sets Stage for New Era

The 2010 James E. Vos Tournament will take an historic step toward the future as its members gather together for their annual June event. For the first time ever, second generation and long time tournament favorite, Dan VanderWal will be joined by his son, third generation Kyle "The Kid" VanderWal.

With the return of first generation, Dave Tanis and Rodger Rice, the James E. Vos Tournament will, for the first time, host three generations of golfers.

Kyle Aaron VanderWal is twenty years old, stands 5' 11" tall and weighs in at a very limber 145 lbs. Currently a sophomore at Calvin College, Kyle is majoring in business in hopes of earning a B.A. in Business Administration with an emphasis in marketing.

Kyle's self-proclaimed prediction for his A-Ga-Ming scores are 82-84.

In addition to golf, Kyle likes basketball, tennis, chillin with the boys, and hanging out Kayla, his girlfriend of three years. (Yowza!)

Welcome Kyle! We hope you play against your dad and put him to shame finally. Some one has to.

James E. Vos Tourney: The Early Years

I'm slowly putting together the complete history of this tournament. In its second year, 1989, the event doubled in size: from four people to eight. In attendance that year were founding members:

Jim Vos, Sr.

Jack Vos

Thom Anema

Mark Rice

plus newcomers:

Rodg Rice

Steve Spoelhof

John Spoelhof

John Anema

While no photos exist from the inaugural 1988 tournament, I discovered some early photos from that equally historic second year. At that time we still held the tournament in mid-May, before Memorial Day. You'll note there are virtually no leaves on the trees. In 1989, when these photos were taken, we played Garland East (no Swampfire or Monarch yet), which was made up of holes 1-6 & 7-9 of Monarch and holes 1-3 & 13-18 of Swampfire; and Michaywe Lakes (in a cold, steady rain) on a Friday; followed by Treetops on Saturday morning. These pictures are from Treetops.

Dynamite VanZee and Co-Founder Vos Confirmed!

In a strange run of events, two historically committed tournament participants--including co-founder, Jack Vos, had not committed to the 2010 tournament leading up to the first week of April, causing the tournament committee (and other players) some degree of concern. Jack Vos is a tournament co-founder, son of the tournament's namesake, and a participant since the tournament's inception in 1988. "Dynamite" VanZee has been a participant for over 15 years and is a tournament favorite. Both have recently won the coveted Stroke Saver MVP Trophy. Vos shared the trophy with co-MVP Dirk VanZee in 2007 at Boyne Highlands and Don winning it outright the next year in 2008 at The Ravines. The tournament would simply not be the same had both these champions not played.

With VanZee and Vos commitment, the tournament field is almost set. Fifteen participants have now committed leaving just one spot open in the field of sixteen. The field now includes:

Mark Rice

Rodger Rice

Dan VanderWal

Kyle VanderWal

Ken Terpstra

Jim Warners

Robert Warners

Brian VanHall

Chris Grek

Dave Tanis

Jeff Tanis

John Mulder

Jon Vos

Donvan VanZee

Jack Vos

Invitations are still out and the tournament committee is waiting to hear from invitees Mark Vandenberge, Phil Vandenberge, Jim Vos, Dirk VanZee, and others. One spot is left and the tournament committee expects to fill it soon.

2010 James E. Vos Memorial Tournament Field Almost Set

March 28, 2010 - Byron Center, MI

The field of sixteen participants for the 2010 James E. Vos Memorial Tournament is almost full. As of this writing, invitees have confirmed their place in the field. Those players include:

Mark Rice
Rodger Rice
Chris Grek
John Mulder
Dan VanderWal
Kyle VanderWal
Brian VanHall
Ken Terpstra
Jeff Tanis
Dave Tanis
Jim Warners
Robert Warners
Jon Vos

Interest in this year's tournament have been expressed by Jack Vos, Dononvan VanZee and Mark Vandenberge but to date, nothing is confirmed.

2010 James E. Vos Memorial Tournament Invitations Announced

Byron Center - January 31, 2010

The James E. Vos Memorial Tournament Committee announced today invitations have been sent out for its 2010 tournament scheduled for June 9-12 at A-Ga-Ming Golf Club in Kewadin, MI.

Overlooking beautiful Torch Lake, A-Ga-Ming hosts the 23rd annual event for a surprising second consecutive year. Traditionally held at major Michigan resorts Garland, Boyne, and Treetops, the tournament made a surprise selection in choosing A-Ga-Ming, causing some longstanding participants to worry. The worry was in vain as the Sundance course proved a perfect venue for the tournament and the on-property facilities warm and inviting for the players. The only drawback for the return is the much maligned Torch course. Hearing player dissatisfaction with the Torch, the tournament committee moved the Friday morning 2-man match play 20-minutes north to historic Belvedere Golf Club, Tom Watson's boyhood summer course.

Excitement is already building for the 2010 tournament. Even before invitations have been mailed, confirmed attendees include two-time Stroke Saver Trophy (MVP) winner, Dan VanderWal and his son, first-timer, Kyle VanderWal. A related story on this will be posted in February. Also confirming attendance are VanderWal's nemesis, Chris Grek, and tournament photographer, John Mulder.

Unconfirmed but receiving invitations this week include:

Mark Rice (tournament co-chair)
Jack Vos (tournament co-chair)
Jon Vos
Jim Vos
Thom Anema
Dick Anema
Rodger Rice
Jeff Tanis
Dave Tanis
Donovan VanZee
Dirk VanZee
Bob Warners
Jim Warners
Ken Terpstra
Joel Neiwenhuis
Doug Gulker
Tony Vroon
Mark Vandenberge
Phil Vandenberge
Brian VanHall
Steve Elenbaas

A deposit of $100 is required to reserve a spot in the field of 16 by the end of March, 2010. Deposit checks should be made out to Mark Rice and mailed to:

2539 Marfield Dr. SW

Byron Center, MI 49315

And The Winner Is...2009 MVP

Dan VanderWal is 2009 MVP! Going 5-0 in the 2009 tournament with amazing rounds of 76, 83, and 79 from the difficult black tees (slope 132, course rating 72.8, length 6,935) Dan captured the 2009 Stroke Saver Trophy. Unleashing powerfully long and straight drives and silky putting Dan paired with Jim Warners Thursday morning to defeat Jack Vos and Chris Grek 2&1 on the Sundance course. He then teamed with Tony Vroon later that afternoon to gut out a tough, well-earned 1 up victory over the dream team of Don VanZee and Jack Vos, coming from 4-down in the stroke play event after 6 holes to climb their way back to to even after hole 10. From there the match see-sawed the rest of the way with blood being drawn on almost every hole. The match was dead even through 17 with Dan posting the only par on the watery grave #18 hole for the 1 up victory.

Dan's only stumble came in Friday morning's 2-man best-ball match play event, played over the tight, highly criticized Torch course. Alas, Dan's length gave him no advantage on the short, watery, tree-lined course as he stumbled is way to a grumbling 85. He managed to win the match thanks, in large part, to the new and improved and longish Mark Vandenberge 5&3 to Chris "VanderWal Killer" Grek and Brian VanHall. The match was very close through 7 holes until MVB net birdied 8&9 and the VW/MVB team never looked back, ultimately taking an easy win 5&3 despite VanderWal's 85.

Dan rebounded in the 2-man scramble format Friday afternoon. While again played on his nemesis Torch course, the scramble format suited his game better, as his partner, Jon Vos, breathed a sigh of relief. Jon's length and pinpoint accuracy perfectly complemented Dan's length off the tee. Spotting Chris Grek and Bob Warners 9 strokes in the modified scramble format the two fearsome players immediately began erasing their deficit with a birdie on #1 and never looked back, pulling even after birdieing 13 and adding another birdie on hole 15 to post +4 victory with an incredible scramble format 69, soothing the pain from Dan's morning debacle.

Dan's knees were knocking Friday night after pulling what, on paper, looked like the toughest match he would have all week. He would face the impenetrable, unflappable, Don VanZee in the Saturday morning singles match-play event. Only "VanderWal Killer," Chris Grek, would have been tougher, but alas, Chris had a family emergency and took his exit Friday night leaving Don as his team's best hope to tame the giant. In what became a hotly debated issue Friday night, Dan, handicapped from the blue tees, again decided to play the black tees and in so doing erased Don's +3 stroke advantage to a mere 1 stroke. Immediately, Don knew he was in for a rough match. Alas, Dan's strategy may have been the dagger that deflates the balloon. Don's 82 on the Sundance course was one of the best rounds of the week but he was no match for Dan. Firing a 1-over 37 on the front nine to Don's 43 Dan was 5 up before Don knew what hit him. Dynomite Don is nothing if not a fighter. Still reeling from witnessing a near-perfect front nine from Dan, Don clawed, fought, scratched his way back, drawing the match to as little as -2 with four holes left to play, but the hole was too deep. One slip and the match was over and the slip came on hole 15--a difficult 435-yard par 4 rated the third toughest hole on the course. As he had done all week, Dan parred the hole to go dormy, leaving Don on the outside looking in. Alas, Don would never get any closer.

In winning the coveted Stroke Saver, Dan joins an illustrious and diverse group that includes the tournament's namesake himself: James E. Vos, Sr. It should be noted Dan had serious compeition for the award including Jim Warners, who also went 4-1 for the week, and Jon Vos who's record was an impressive 3.5-1.5. Ultimately, it was Dan's impressive play from the black tees on Sundance that earned him the 2009 award. Dan shares the 2002 MVP award with his brother, Nick VanderWal. With the win Dan joins Dirk VanZee and Jon Vos as the award's only multiple winners. Dirk VanZee holds the record with three winning it outright in 1996 and sharing the award in 2003 with Chris Grek and in 2007 with Jack Vos.

2009 Images

23rd Annual Tournament Announcement

January 4, 2010 - The James E. Vos Invitational Tournament Committee is pleased to announce the 2010 tournament will return to last year's surprisingly pleasant venue: A-Ga-Ming Golf Club http://www.a-ga-ming.com/. Nestled high on a bluff overlooking beautiful Torch Lake, A-Ga-Ming hosts the player-favorite Sundance course and the under-rated Torch course. Changes to this year's tournament will be Friday morning's match-play round which will be played on historic Belvedere Golf Club http://www.belvederegolfclub.com/ a few miles north of A-Ga-Ming and just south of Charlevoix, MI.

Invitations and further details for the 23rd annual tournament will be delivered in January. This year's tournament will be limited to sixteen competitors.