The James E. Vos Memorial Golf Invitational: Saturday, June 2 Travel and Golf Plans Set

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

Saturday, June 2 Travel and Golf Plans Set

Lewiston, MI--Golf and travel plans are set for Saturday's pre-tournament rounds. Eleven participants will play 36 holes at Garland with an additional nine joining in the afternoon. Five participants are not playing Garland on Saturday--either slaving away downstate or choosing to play somewhere else on the way north. Three are undecided. Here is the final list.

Garland - All Day
Rice, Mark
Anema, Thom
Vos, Jack
Vos, Sam
Vander Wal, Dan
Vander Wal, Kyle
Van Zee, Don
Grek, Chris
Stuk, Jeff
Elenbaas, Steve
Vroon, Tony

Garland - Afternoon Only
Rice, Rodger
Anema, Dick
Vandenberge, Mark
Van Hall, Brian
Vandenberge, Phil
Topliff, John
Baker, Jim
Mulder, John
Rosema, Dan

AWOL
Klunder, Ken
Tanis, Dave
Tanis, Jeff
Tanis, Owen
Terpstra, Ken

Undecided
Warners, Jim
Warners, Bob
Vos, Jon

Securing pre-tounament tee times was more difficult this year because the "warm-up" day occurs on a Saturday instead of the typical Wednesday when most northern courses are fairly open. Tee times were secured, however. The All day-ers are scheduled with this rotation:

9:30am-9:50am - Swampfire
2:00pm-2:20pm - Reflections

The afternoon-only participants:

1:30pm-1:50pm - Monarch

Cost is $45 for the first round and $35 replay rate. Arrangements are being made through Garland to have these directly billed to your individual accounts.