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.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

2012 Tournament Handicaps Posted

Lewiston, MI--The James E. Vos Memorial Invitational executive committee today announced the starting handicap indexes and tee box determinations for its field of twenty-eight. 


Leading the field with an index of an astounding -5 from the blue tees is last year's "bridesmaid," Don "Dynamite" Van Zee. The 2008 MVP, Van Zee shot rounds of 76-75-79-81 on the Cedar River and Legend courses at Shanty Creek, lowered his handicap by four full strokes, and yet failed to win the coveted Stroke Saver MVP award. As luck would have it, the majority of his matches failed to fall in his favor sending his 2011 competitive record to 2-3 despite his 78 average score for the tournament. Van Zee was by the far the biggest handicap index mover of the group.


Van Zee fully turned as Grek observes the power about to be unleashed.


Right behind the senior Van Zee, team Vander Wal--son Kyle and father Dan--are just a stroke back at -6 apiece. Always a threat to go low, both began last year's tournament at -7 and managed strong consistent scores no lower than 77, no higher than 82. The Vander Wal's will once again be a force to be recognized in 2012, especially with the senior VanderWal's replacement hip fully functioning.


Right on their heels are the remaining non-rookie single-digits: the younger Van Zee and three-time MVP Dirk (-6), three-time MVP Jon Vos (-8), and 1995 MVP Mark Rice (-9). The always consistent Vos started the 2011 tournament -9, going to -8 with scores of 79-84-84. His last day singles match in 2011 was reduced to 9 holes and not recorded for handicap purposes. Returning after a five year absence, Dirk Van Zee's -6 is based on the scores he shot the last time he participated in the tournament (2007). The competition committee welcomes him back and hopes he can sustain his blistering play five years later. The perpetually inconsistent Mark Rice had his handicap inch up one stroke from -8 to -9 due to three strong scores in 2011 and one forgettable one: 77-81-92-81.


No one from the 2011 tournament moved their handicap index more than +/- 1 in either direction other than Van Zee who's index fell by a mammoth +4 strokes going from -9 to -5 heading into the 2012 tournament.


Rookie handicaps are always estimated and then adjusted immediately following the first round. All other participant handicaps are adjusted after each day's play and based on that day's scores. This year's crop of rookies make an interesting set of handicap indexes beginning with young Sam Vos at -7. Vos played on his high school team and is currently playing at a collegiate level. Can his game hold up to the intensity of The Invitational's 25th anniversary? Little is known about the games of Ken Klunder (-10) and Dan Rosema (-12) but they are rumored to be "players" who know a little something about the pressures of competition. We shall see. The most dangerous rookie of the group could be Owen Tanis sporting a -22. Length is not an issue for the young Tanis and his game has the potential for going low as well as going high. He is one of those young guns that could take the -22 and run.


Indexes are below. Tees indicate tee played in 2011 tournament to achieve current handicap index. As mentioned earlier, rookie  handicaps are estimates as are the tees from which they will play.


Name, Tee, Index
Dick Anema, white, -26
Thom Anema, blue, -12
Jim Baker, blue, -15
Steve Elenbaas, blue, -18
Chris Grek, white, -12
Ken Klunder, blue, -10 (rookie)
John Mulder, white, -19
Mark Rice, blue, -9
Rodg Rice, white, -20
Dan Rosema, blue, -12 (rookie)
Jeff Stuk, white, -17
Dave Tanis, white, -10
Jeff Tanis, white, -10
Owen Tanis, white, -22 (rookie)
Ken Terpstra, white, -13
John Topliff, blue, -15
Mark Vandenberge, blue, -17
Phil Vandenberge, white, -20
Dan Vander Wal, blue, -6
Kyle Vander Wal, blue, -6
Brian Van Hall, blue, -10
Donovan Van Zee, blue, -5
Jack Vos, white, -17
Jon Vos, blue, -8
Sam Vos, blue, -7 (rookie)
Tony Vroon, white, -17
Bob Warners, blue, -15
Jim Warners, blue, -12


In related news the executive committee announced the tournament stroke differentials between tee boxes for both Monarch and Swampfire:


Monarch
Black-Blue: 517 yards, +/- 5 strokes
Blue-White: 392 yards, =/- 4 strokes


Swampfire
Black-Blue: 432 yards, +/- 4 strokes
Blue-White: 314 yards, +/- 3 strokes



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