The James E. Vos Memorial Golf Invitational: 2013 James E. Vos Memorial Invitational Teams Announced

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 28, 2013

2013 James E. Vos Memorial Invitational Teams Announced

Bellaire, MI--The tournament committee today announced the teams for the 26th playing of the James E. Vos Memorial Invitational, now just days away.

In switch from the 25th anniversary event, which revisited the old Grand Haven vs. The World format for the historic silver anniversary, this year's teams will feature a blended approach, in part because the Grand Havenites far outnumber anyone else in this year's tourney. As successful as last year's nostalgic match up was, the tournament committee felt a change back to a blended format was the right decision for this year's event.

The committee also considered randomly picking teams on Saturday evening before the tourney, as we have done before, drawing names out of hat. Picking teams creates a tremendous gathering event on the eve of first round. Excitement builds as everyone watches and wonders on which team they will land. Randomly picking teams that evening is also time consuming and, given the higher than expected participants in this year's event, the tournament committee made the decision to select teams in advance. Returning players will also remember we randomly select the first day's pairings on Wednesday evening which also takes time.

Care was taken to pair family members and to keep rookies on the same team as those who brought them, while also putting people on teams that haven't traditionally been teammates in the Grand Haven vs. The World format. Care was also taken to match as evenly as possible overall team handicaps and the handicaps of A-level and B-level participants. All in all, things match up pretty evenly on paper with Team A having a slightly lower overall team handicap that Team B.

Nuff said.

Herewith the teams for the 2013 James E. Vos Memorial Inviational.

Team A/Handicap (final name tbd; see below)
Kyle Vander Wal, +7
Mark Ocshenkehl, +8 (rookie)
Dan Vander Wal, +9
Don Van Zee, +9
Dan Rosema, +10
Brian Van Hall, +13
Chris Grek, +14
Nick Vander Wal, +18
Jim Baker, +23
John Mulder, +24

Team B/Handicap (final name tbd; see below)
Sam Vos, +8
Cam Van Koevering, +9
Jon Vos, +11
Mark Rice, +12
Ken Terpstra, +14
Mike Posby, +15
Jim Warners, +16
Dave Tanis, +17
Jack Vos, +19
Rodg Rice, +25

Team names will be selected at the Wednesday evening Gathering event (approx. 9:30pm Saturday evening, details to follow in another post). It is a tournament tradition the reigning MVP retains the right to select his team's name between either the Fairway Finders or the Recovery Shots. We will wait to see what Ken Terpstra chooses.