The James E. Vos Memorial Golf Invitational: 2010 Handicap Indexes Posted

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.

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!