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.

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Hawk's Eye Surprising Host to 2013 Tourney

Bellaire, MI--In a surprise move The James E. Vos Memorial Invitational tournament committee today announced it will stage the 2013 James E. Vos Memorial Invitational tournament at Hawk's Eye Golf Resort, just outside the town of Bellaire and in the shadow of Shanty Creek Resort.

Hawk's Eye is a completely new venue for the tournament, now in its 26th year. Opened in 2004, the course, built by Canadian-born architect John Robinson, has been ranked as high as the 12th best public course in Michigan. It is a beautiful, semi-private, championship golf course that is the centerpiece of the Hawk's Eye golf community which also features on-course lodging and dining. The course meanders along windswept hills and into tree-lined valleys. The views are spectacular along the course which stretches to 7,011 yards with a stout course rating of 74.6 and a 140 slope. The more gentler forward tees max out at 6,341 yards. Two Guys Who Golf, a popular golf blogsite for the "common man" calls Hawk's Eye one of the most beautiful courses in Northern Michigan.

http://michigan.twoguyswhogolf.com/reviews/hawkseye.html

While Hawk's Eye is new to the tournament its sister course, The Chief, is not....

The first and only time the tournament was played on The Chief came in 2001--one of the most memorable and unpleasant rounds in the tournament's history as part of a course rotation that included Cedar River, The Legend, and the worst weather conditions the tournament has ever seen. While the entire weekend save Thursday saw horrid weather the worst, by far, was the Saturday morning round at The Chief which began chilly and ended as a pouring rain-soaked, bone-chillingly cold slop fest. Most (including yours truly) walked off the course and swore they would never return to a course perceived on that rainy day as silly, contrived, and overly difficult. Some to this day have not returned to the tournament itself after that fateful day.

And yet, twelve years later, stories from that day are the stuff of legend, and the history of the James E. Vos tournament is not complete without them. Those who were there share deep bonds as survivors, battlers, and drowned rats. And some, not all, have, to this day always wondered if the course was as bad as perceived. Would the course show a softer, more pleasant side on a sunny 70-degree June day?

We will find out as The Chief will be part of the two course rotation in this year's 2014 James E. Vos Memorial Invitational. A preliminary course rotation has already been established. Plans call for all-day Sunday, June 2--the tournament's first day--on Hawk's Eye. Monday, which includes the afternoon scramble format, will be played all day on The Chief. Tuesday morning's singles matches return to Hawk's Eye.

The field has been opened to 16 golfers. Invitations will be extended in the next few days with participants expected to accept very quickly in April with a deposit of $100.

Hawk's Eye Website

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