The James E. Vos Memorial Golf Invitational: 25th Anniversary Tournament Filling Up

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, March 3, 2012

25th Anniversary Tournament Filling Up

Byron Center, MI--The 25th playing of the James E. Vos Memorial Invitational is still three months away and available spots are filling up.

The tournament committee today announced half of the tournament's available 28 spots are filled. The committee is pleased to accept the following fourteen players into the 2012 tournament including two rookies.

Mark Rice

Rodger Rice

Chris Grek

Dave Tanis

Jeff Tanis

Owen Tanis (R)

Jeff Stuk

Dick Anema

Thom Anema

Jim Baker

John Topliff

Brian Van Hall

Ken Klunder (R)

Don Van Zee

The strong early response combined with many applications still unreceived from veterans like the Vos brothers, Warners brothers, the Vandenberge's, Ken Terpstra, and the VanderWal's suggest a full field of twenty-eight participants is likely. The tournament committee would like to remind everyone that applications will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.

Two rookies are already in the field of twenty-eight along with several who are returning after multi-year absences. Ken Klunder hails from Moline, MI and is a friend of tournament co-chair, Mark Rice. Owen Tanis is the son of tournament veteran, Jeff Tanis, and the grandson of Dave Tanis, a tournament legend who's historic singles matches against Jon Vos have become part of the tournament's lore. Dave and Jeff have been absent from the tournament since 2010.

The committee heartily received the applications from Thom and Dick Anema of Englewood and Westminster, Colorado, respectively. The Anema's are tournament veterans with Thom being one of the tournament's four founders. His father--Uncle Dick as he is affectionately known--joined a year later. The Anema's have been absent since 2009.

The committee is also delighted to welcome back Brian Van Hall from a 1-year absence, last year's rookies, Jeff Stuk and Jim Baker, and tournament veteran, Donovan "Dynamite" Van Zee. The tournament is simply not the same without the likes of Brian and Don.

Rumors are surfacing that applications will soon be received from Bob Warners who was also absent last year and who is a longstanding and well-loved participant.

Due to the strong early response, the reservation deadline has been extended to March 30, 2012. Invitees are strongly encouraged to send their applications in to the tournament committee no later than that date. Applications will be accepted with a deposit of $100.