The James E. Vos Memorial Golf Invitational: November 2011

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.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Garland Lodge & Resort to Host 25th

Lewiston, MI--The James E. Vos Memorial Invitational tournament committee today announced the highly anticipated 25th anniversary event will return for the 10th time to Garland Lodge & Resort.

While not the site of the 1988 inaugural event, Garland played a role in the 1989 rotation when then Garland East (later split into Swampfire and Monarch) was visited by eight golfers on a very cold, rainy May day as part of a 36-hole day that included the then brand-new Michaywe Lakes golf course. Since then Garland has been in the event rotation a record eight more times--six consecutive (1992-1997) and more than any other northern Michigan golf resort--and remains the favorite site of many of the invitational's regular participants. This is the first time since 2003 the event has been held at Garland.

Garland and its four courses have created countless memories for the JEV Tourney. It was in 1996 on the Reflections course when tournament co-founder and namesake, James E. Vos, Sr. carded the only ace ever recorded in the tournament's 24-year history on hole #16, a downhill par 3 of 175 yards. The jubilant cheers were heard throughout the property. Leading up to the 25th anniversary event the tournament committee plans to interview the other three members in Senior's foursome that day for their perspective on the historic ace.

A preliminary course rotation has already been established for the 25th anniversary event. Plans call for the teams to face off all day Sunday, June 3--the tournament's first day--on the behemoth Monarch. The Monday, June 4 rotation includes Swampfire for the morning 2-man best ball and Reflections for the afternoon 2-man scramble. Tuesday morning's finale singles matches return to Swampfire.

The tournament committee is anticipating a record turn out for the 2012 event. The field has been opened to 28 golfers. As per tradition, invitations will be extended in January 2012 with participants expected to accept in February.

Friday, November 11, 2011

25th Anniversary Tournament Dates Announced

Byron Center, MI--In a surprising twist, the James E. Vos Memorial Invitational Committee strayed from its traditional Thursday through Saturday schedule, moving the tournament to a non-traditional Sunday through Tuesday schedule. The tournament will be held beginning Saturday evening, June 2 through Tuesday morning, June 5, 2012.

For years the tournament has stubbornly held to its Thursday-Saturday format. Even when schedules have forced the tournament out of its traditional early June dates, the committee has maintained its Thursday through Saturday format.

Why the change, and why now, especially considering this will be the tournament's 25th anniversary?

Tournament co-director, Mark Rice, explains. "We have long held to the Thursday-Saturday format. After two decades, our participants are familiar and comfortable with the format. Having said that, it has posed problems. Our participants have families so we try to end as early as possible on Saturday, allowing our players to return home and have a partial weekend with their families. Last year, heavy rain and fog delayed our Saturday morning start and that posed problems with players who had Saturday afternoon commitments."

Rice continues. "A Sunday-Tuesday tournament requires the same amount of vacation days for our players and allows them to be home on a Friday night and most of Saturday before coming to the tournament. We also try to set the dates to accommodate the most players and, frankly, this year the traditional dates posed some conflicts with some of our players."