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, May 21, 2013

Ken Terpstra Steamrolls to 2012 MVP



Bellaire, MI—Showing the intense competitive fire long-time tournament participants have come to expect, Ken Terpstra was simply unbeatable, taking no prisoners on his way to winning the 2012 Stoke Saver Trophy at the 25th playing of the James E. Vos Memorial Invitational. With the win Ken joins Jon Vos, Dirk Van Zee, and Dan Vander Wal as the only multiple award winners. Ken shared the honor in 2006 with Jon Vos. Jon and Dirk are the award's only three-time winners.

It was impressive, to say the least, with all but two of his five matches virtually over by the fourteenth hole, if not sooner. He won going away, as they say in racing, winning 8&7 and 5&4 in the two-man best-ball match play events, and +6 in the 2-man best-ball stroke play event. Along for the ride, and taking nothing away from the talents of these individuals, were Steve Elenbaas, Jeff Stuk, Brian Van Hall, and Dan Rosema all who played well in supporting roles.


Ken’s two toughest matches were his last of the tournament. In the two-man scramble Ken paired with Dan Rosema and faced the tough veteran team of Dave Tanis and Phil Vandenberge who, based on the handicapping system, began with a four-stroke advantage. The battle was waged on the Garland Reflections course and was close the entire way. Team Terpstra/Rosema immediately erased their four-stroke deficit, drawing the match even by the fifth hole with five straight pars to the early erratic play of Tanis/Vandenberge who were 3-over through five with a double-bogey on the tough par 5 fifth. Tanis/Vandenberge would rally, however, playing the next four holes in 1-under with a birdie on the par 5 8th to regain the 4-stroke advantage through 9 holes while Terpstra/Rosema faltered playing the last four holes on the front in +3.
Four strokes up with 9 holes to play in a scramble format would seem like advantage Tanis/Vandenberge…unless you’re playing against Ken Terpstra. Terpstra/Rosema had them right where they wanted, playing the back nine level par, impressively with birdies on 11, 12 (who birdies Reflections #12?), 15 and 16. Tanis/Vandenberge fought bravely but were no match, relinquishing the lead on hole 16 and losing it for good with a double-bogey 6 on the seventeenth.

Tony Vroon bows to the master, knowing his own defeat is envitable.

Ken’s toughest match came in the final morning singles match play competition against the elusively talented Tony Vroon. Tony combines talent with cunningly good humor to seduce his competition to relax, only to have them laugh their way through the round not realizing Tony is beating their brains in. This strategy works well on the weak-minded (yours truly) and almost worked on Terp, but Terp’s mental toughness ultimately carried the day. This match was tightly contested the entire way on the tough Monarch course with both players never gaining more than a 1-up advantage until the last. Blood was drawn on ten holes with Tony holding on to a razor-thin 1-up lead through seven holes shooting a 45 on the front nine to Ken’s 44. Little did Tony know that would be his last lead of the match. As he had done all week, Terp quickly rallied, winning the 8th to level the match and winning the narrow par 5 10th hole to go +1. Vroon nipped at Terp’s heels, winning the difficult 11th hole with a par (who par’s the 11th?) to level the match for the fourth time, but again Terp fought back, winning the par 3 12th with a bogey to Vroon’s double, gaining a 1-up lead he would never relinquish. With Vroon’s spirit crushed and his strategy failed, he battled hard, matching Terp stroke-for-stroke the next four holes and had a chance to tie for a halve on 18 only to double-bogey it allowing Terpstra to close him out with a 2 up win and secure the Stroke Saver Trophy.

Congratulations Ken!
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