The James E. Vos Memorial Golf Invitational: 2014 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.

Monday, May 26, 2014

2014 James E. Vos Memorial Invitational Teams Announced

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

The executive committee made the decision to select the teams in advance to save time and create event efficiency. The committee did consider 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 its decision to select teams in advance.

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.

The only wrinkle this year is we have twenty-three participants, not 24. That means one team will be comprised of twelve players and the other, eleven. This does complicate things all the way around but the tournament has experienced this before and has developed a suitable work around. It's not ideal and, unfortunately, one team had to end up with eleven.

Nuff said.

Herewith the teams for the 2014 James E. Vos Memorial Inviational.

Team A/Handicap (final name tbd; see below)
Mark Rice, +10

Rodg Rice, +27

Jeff Stuk, +17

Ken Terpstra, +14
Cam Van Koevering, +14
Don Van Zee, Jr. +18 (rookie)
Don Van Zee, +12
Jack Vos, +20
Jon Vos, +13
Sam Vos, +7
Bob Warners, +20
Jim Warners, +18

Team B/Handicap (final name tbd; see below)
Jim Baker, +19
Chris Grek, +15
John Mulder, +24
Mark Ochsankehl, +7
Dan Rosema, +10
Dave Tanis, +17
Dirk Tanis, +18 (rookie)
Jeff Tanis, +13
Owen Tanis, +21
Dan Vander Wal, +11
Kyle Vander Wal, +11

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 Dan Vander Wal chooses.

To save time and create efficiency, the executive committee will also develop in advance the pairings for Sunday's and possibly Monday morning's matchups. Stay tuned for further details.