James E. Vos Memorial Invitational 2016

James E. Vos Memorial Invitational 2016

A Buddies Trip...A Lasting Legacy

"When buddie's golf succeeds it resuscitates the soul. We return to our lives as if from a spiritual retreat, reminded by imperfect pastors that we ought to quit chasing perfection and enjoy life." Golf Digest, December 2009.

A lesson like that knows no offseason. In 1988 four friends hatched an idea to spend two days in northern Michigan competing in three two-man events over three different courses--the winning team earning a full-course dinner and bragging rights until next year. It was right after the first 36-hole day, sitting on the deck at Shanty Creek Resort, watching the sun set over Lake Bellaire, reliving shots hit stoney and stone-like, mesmerized by a fervent purple and pink sky, the four friends instinctively knew, "This is perfect."

A trip was born, a lasting legacy begun. Since that first trip, friends and family have gathered each June, bound by the rich traditions of the game and lasting friendships forged in the cathedrals and cellars of Michigan golf: Boyne, Treetops, Garland, Wuskowhan, The Legend, Cedar River, The Chief, Wicked Trick, I mean, Crooked Stick, Bay Harbor, A-ga-ming, Black Forest, Antrim Dells, and countless others.

What began as four friends, 54 holes over two days has grown to as many as 28 golfers, 162 holes over 4 days. We are bound by the very things that make up the pillars of golf: love, honor, and respect.

Monday, June 7, 2010

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

Saturday, June 5, 2010

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!