The James E. Vos Memorial Golf Invitational: Tee Box Policy Reminder

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 15, 2012

Tee Box Policy Reminder

Lewiston, MI--Participants in the 2012 James E. Vos Memorial Invitational are reminded of the new tee box policy, newly instituted at last year's tournament.

Participants will be asked and expected to declare each evening the tees the expect to play the next day. It will be strongly encouraged for participants to declare before the tournament and no later than Saturday evening's opening ceremonies the tees they expect to play for the duration of the tournament. Players will be encouraged to play from the same set of tees the entire week. Exceptions will be made in cases where health or other extenuating circumstances make it very difficult for a player to play the next day from previously declared tees.

With the new requirements came a change in policy regarding strokes given or taken away by moving tees. Previous methodology allocated 200 yard to be equal to approximately 1 stroke. A change from blue tees to white tees of 400 yards, for example, would be a handicap change of +/- two strokes.

While a player may, in fact, take one stroke to hit a ball 200 yards, the tournament committee also recognizes 400 yards constitutes a par 4 hole on most golf courses. The new policy roughly translates into one stroke for every 100 yards and four strokes for 400 yards. The specific stroke allocation between tees for the Garland courses will be announced when handicaps are announced. That announcement is expected this weekend.

The selection of tees and the corresponding stroke allocations have been the subject of spirited debate for years among the tournaments participants. Intended to encourage participants to play from the tees from which they get the most enjoyment, and to give some golfers who's game is "between tees" the opportunity to move during the week depending on each course's length, the previous system allowed players to switch anytime before a round, requiring they either give up or receive additional strokes, depending on whether they move up or move back a set of tees.

Despite its intent, it received criticism for making it too easy for players to move up or back, and it created the opportunity for players to more easily switch during a tournament--sometimes right before a match--depending on the course length and on which tees gave them the greatest stroke advantage during a match. In some cases, a player could move up tees, gain 400-500 yards and only give up 2 strokes in their handicap.

As always, the goal is for the spirit of the game and the values the tournament's namesake embraced to remain: friendship, honor, and love of the game.