The James E. Vos Memorial Golf Invitational: 25th Anniversary Tournament Dates Announced

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.

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."