The James E. Vos Memorial Golf Invitational: And Then There Were Three: Papa Vander Wal Wins Third Career MVP

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.

Thursday, May 22, 2014

And Then There Were Three: Papa Vander Wal Wins Third Career MVP

Oscoda, MI--Dan Vander Wal has been named the 2013 Stroke Saver Trophy winner--his third career MVP award. Vander Wal joins the elite group of Dirk Van Zee and Jon Vos as the tournaments only three-time winners. Dan won his first MVP in 2002, sharing the Stroke Saver Trophy with his brother Nick, and then winning it outright in 2009.

The decision was fairly easy. Dan went 5-0 for the weekend and was the only player all week and on either team to go undefeated. Challenging Dan, but coming up just short was Chris Grek who went 4-1 losing just his first match and going undefeated the rest of the way.

That Vander Wal won the award while sandbagging, I mean, while raising his handicap index by two points (from +9 to +11) is even more impressive. His scores weren't spectacular, going 87-88-85-82, but as has been exhibited regularly in this tournament, it's not how you play but how well you play with your partners that matters. And, that he did.

Paired with younger and better looking brother, Nick, in the first round, the Vander Wal's won a close match, winning 1-up against bulldog Rodg Rice and Mike "John Daly" Posby. Paired with Don Van Zee, Dan faced Rodg Rice again in round two, this time handily beating him and son, Mark Rice, by three-strokes in the afternoon 2-man stroke play event.

Day two was easy for Papa Vander Wal and he won both matches going away, paired with Doc Mulder and beating two titans: Jon Vos and Dan Tanis 5&4 in the morning 2-man match play event. In the afternoon scramble event, Dan was paired with Brian Van Hall and given a 5-stroke deficit (based on handicaps) against another seemingly tough team of Dave Tanis and 2-time MVP Ken Terpstra. The match see-sawed back and forth until the terrible and wacky 10th hole at The Chief Golf Club. There Vander Wal/Van Hall birdied to Tanis/Terpstra's double-bogey, making up three quick strokes and never looking back. They won going away, shooting 69 in the scramble format, erasing the 5-stroke deficit and winning by five more.

Dan's toughest match was his last. Paired against the ever-tough Jack Vos and giving Jack 600 yards and seven strokes, the war was waged. Jack got down early, going triple-bogey, triple-bogey, bogey and suddenly digging himself in a -3 hole. After matching pars on the fourth hole, Jack battled right back, winning the next three holes to level the match through eight holes. Back and forth it went with Jack going up +2 through 10. It would be his largest and last lead of the match. Vander Wal quickly won 11, 12, 13, and 14 to go up +2. Ever the fighter, Jack sunk his teeth in and didn't let go, getting the match to -1 through 17 and a chance to tie if he won the tricky 18th. He pared it...but so did Dan, winning the singles match 1-up and securing the 2014 Stroke Saver Trophy.