The James E. Vos Memorial Golf Invitational: February 2013

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.

Monday, February 4, 2013

2013 Tournament Dates and Possible Host Venues Announced

Byron Center, MI--The James E. Vos Memorial Invitational Committee today announced the dates for the 2013 tournament will continue last year's non-traditional Sunday through Tuesday schedule. The tournament will be held beginning Saturday evening, June 1 through Tuesday morning, June 4, 2013.

For years the tournament has stubbornly held to its Thursday-Saturday format. Even when schedules have forced the tournament out of its traditional early June dates, the committee has maintained its Thursday through Saturday format.

Why continue the change?

Tournament co-director, Mark Rice, explains. "We have long held to the Thursday-Saturday format. After two decades, our participants are familiar and comfortable with the format. Having said that, it has posed problems. Our participants have families so we try to end as early as possible on Saturday, allowing our players to return home and have a partial weekend with their families, but even with an early tee time Saturday morning, our tournament participants still don't arrive home until mid-afternoon Saturday at the earliest."

Rice continues. "A Sunday-Tuesday tournament requires the same amount of vacation days for our players and allows them to be home on a Friday night and most of Saturday before coming to the tournament. We also try to set the dates to accommodate the most players and, frankly, this year the traditional dates posed some conflicts with some of our players. We have several participants with either middle or high school graduations that conflicted with the traditional dates. We also surveyed past participants and most either didn't care or preferred a Sunday through Tuesday format.

The tournament committee also announced they are considering four venues for the 2013 tournament all but one of which are new to the rotation.

1. Forest Dunes Golf Club. Forest Dunes with open a new lodge in April 2013 and with the opening are offering several stay and play packages.
2. Manistee National Golf Club with a day at Arcadia Bluffs.
3. Crystal Mountain Golf Club and Resort. Nice lodging options and two decent courses.
4. Treetops. A perennial favorite. The last time the tournament was held at Treetops was 2005.

The tournament committee will explore package options with each club and make a decision in the next month.