The James E. Vos Memorial Golf Invitational: The Ace: Still Sweet Eighteen Years Later

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.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

The Ace: Still Sweet Eighteen Years Later

Lewiston, MI--On the eve of the 25th anniversary tournament it is good, fitting, and right to remember the only recorded hole-in-one in the history of the James E.Vos, Sr. Memorial Invitational recorded by none other than tournament co-founder and namesake, James E. Vos, Sr. on the Reflections Course at Garland.

Senior, as he was fondly known, is no longer with us, but the rest of his foursome on that famous day: Dan Vander Wal, son Jack, and Rodger Rice, remain and will return to the site this year to relive and remember.

The tournament executive committee asked the remaining three from that legendary day to remember what they could of the details surrounding The Ace. Here is the recounting of it in their own words.

Reflections #16 - As Senior Vos would have stared down it's 158 yards from the white tees

"I remember the day and the hole," says Rodger Rice. "I believe Senior tee'd off last. I believe, also, that Dan and I had already tee'd off. Dan, I think, was on the green but I had duffed one halfway to the hole. I was brumming to myself when Senior tee'd off (and I think Jack had already tee'd off too). I did not expect Senior to make an ace. It's a tough hole just to hit the green without going in a bunker because the green is ringed with bunkers. But Senior, with his trusty 7 wood hit his ball straight at the pin."

Reflections #16 green, side view from the left

Adds Jack, "Came in alittle left to right, rolled 8-10 feet, we all watched, net 0 on card."

Rice continues: "I remember his ball hit quite far in front of the green (where a tongue of the putting surface juts forward between two huge bunkers). The ball just kept rolling for several feet until in gently hit the pin and plunked in. We were all astounded. There was silence for several seconds and then an group cheer. I don't recall what Senior said after. It might have been something about the shot being a stroke saver. But that's not for sure. Of course, we all had to go to the green and peer in the hole just to make sure what we thought happened really happened. So let's say the feelings included 'incredible' and 'can you believe what we just saw?' and 'amazing reault' and many other feelings and thoughts."

So there you have it folks. Eighteen years ago this year the only ever recorded ace in the history of the tournament. The year was 1994. The course was Reflections. Fittingly, the man was the one, the only, James E. Vos, Sr.

Sadly, the scorecard for this most famous hole-in-one has never been found. Thankfully, the memories remain.