Treetops Resort to Host 29th Annual James E. Vos Memorial Invitational

Byron Center, MI--The James E. Vos Memorial Invitational executive committee today announced the 2016 tournament will return to Treetops Resort. This will be the fourth time the tournament has been played at Treetops, and the first time since 2005 when the Fairway Finders prevailed 10-8 and Rodger Rice won the Stroke Saver MVP award. Treetops Resort also hosted the tournament in 2004 and in 1989--the tournament's second year.

Treetops has long been a player favorite, consistently ranking as one of the top three tournament sites, and in the same company as Boyne and Garland, among the players picks. Until this year, bringing the tournament to Treetops has been cost-prohibitive, with per player rates for golf and lodging exceeding $500. This year's rate will be under $400.

The tournament will be held over three days, from June 9 through June 11, 2016. Players will be expected to arrive Wednesday evening, June 8 and depart Saturday afternoon, June 11, after the singles round.

Three Treetops courses will host tournament play, in the following order and formats:

Thursday, June 9
Jones Masterpiece, 2-man best ball match play
Smith Tradition, 2-man scramble

Friday, June 10
Fazio Premier, 2-man best ball, match play
Fazio Premier, 2-man best ball, stroke play

Saturday, June 11
Jones Masterpiece, singles match play

In addition, a special $28 rate has been negotiated for play on Threetops, the resort's spectacular par 3 course and former host to ESPN's par 3 Shoot Out. A block of tee times has been reserved for Wednesday afternoon, June 8 beginning at 3pm for those who wish to take advantage of the late June sunsets and this spectacular rate.

Shortly after January 1, 2016 tournament invitations will be sent out. Twenty-four spots are available for the 2016 tournament. As in previous years, a $100 per player deposit will be required by March 1 to reserve a spot in the tournament.

Final Trip Costs and Details

Looking forward to the 28th annual James E. Vos Memorial Invitational. Here are some final trip details and costs for this year's participants.

1. Costs break down as follows:

Lodging: $328.67/person for three nights lodging
-For everyone who has sent me a $100 deposit, your balance is $100 less ($228.67)
-Per the contract, condo rates are subject to an additional state and local taxes. Be prepared.
-Check in is after 5pm.
-When you arrive, follow the signs to the main office/front desk to check in. The staff will direct you from there.

Golf:
-Golf is pay as you go.
-Manitou Passage: $65 all day
-The Leelanau Club at Bahle Farms: $59 all day
-Hemlock Golf Club: $45
-The Homestead has what I remember to be a gorgeous and fun 9-hole par 3 course on property. Some of us hope to get up to the resort in time to play it Wednesday evening.

2. Tee times, competitive format, and courses are as follows:

Ryder Cup-style competition. Each competitive match is worth one (1) point. Team with the most points at the end declared the tournament winner.

Thursday - Manitou Passage Golf Club, Cedar, MI (all day)
a) Morning tee times start at 7:30am (tee times 10 minutes apart)
2-man best ball (match play)

b)  Afternoon tee times start at 1:30pm (tee times 10 minutes apart)*
2-man best ball (stroke play)

Friday - The Leelanau Club at Bahle Farms (all day)
a) 8:30am - modified  shotgun start**
2-man best ball (match play)

b) Afternoon tee times start at 2:00pm (possible modified shotgun start, tbd**)
2-man scramble (stroke play, handicapped)

Saturday - Hemlock Golf Club, Ludington, MI (18 holes)
-Morning tee times start at 10:30am (tee times 10 minutes apart)***
-Singles (match play)

*I called Manitou Passage yesterday and they had lost our tee times. The had space later and slotted us in to tee off at 2:00pm instead of 1:30pm. I complained to The Homestead and they are working on getting us back to 1:30pm. As of now, however, we are slated to tee of at 2pm. Take note.

**Modified shotguns. We were forced to do this at Lakewood Shores last year and I like how it worked out so I'm doing it again at The Leelanau Club. Everyone tees off at 8:30am in this order on these holes:

1a & 1b
18
17
16a & 16b

What this does is ensures everyone gets done around the same time. We can have lunch together and not rush to make the afternoon tee times.

***Hemlock is 2 hours south of  The Homestead in Glen Arbor, thus the later tee time.

3. Teams and Pairings

Teams and pairings have already been selected. This is being done to save time and create efficiency. We will only have 23 players on Thursday. Jack Vos cannot be with us that day. We've had this happen before and have a way of making it work. We'll go over all this prior to the tournament.

4. Food and beverage is not included in the package. These are full condos with kitchens. We typically all end up at a local restaurant each evening for supper. One night we typically all order take out pizza. Jack Tanis is playing with us this year and is a local. He's got some good restaurant suggestions. Most people buy breakfast food and eat in their condos. There are also restaurants on property.

5. The Gathering. Please plan to meet as a large group for a bit on Wednesday night in one of the condos. This has become a nice little pre-tournament gathering where we greet each other, welcome the rookies, hand out the pairings and scorecards, and go over other tournament details. We'll start around 9-9:30pm and try to wrap by 10-10:30pm. It's important to not miss this. Please do your best to be on time. Plan on meeting in my condo: Sundance #1.

If you have any questions, please call or text Mark Rice. New cell number is 616-826-8232.

See you in a few days.

2015 James E. Vos Memorial Teams Announced

Glen Arbor, MI--The tournament committee today announced the teams for the 28th 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 old "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.

Also to save time, the tournament committee has also created the complete list of tournament pairings. The pairings sheet will be sent in a separate email and post.

Nuff said.

Herewith the teams for the 2015 James E. Vos Memorial Invitational.

Team A/Handicap (final name tbd; see below)
Anema, Dick, +31
Anema, Thom, +16
Baker, Jim, +21
Mulder, John, +19
Rosema, Dan, +10
Rosema, JD, +16 (rookie)
Van Zee, Don, +10
Vos, Jack, +17
Vos, Jon, +10
Vos, Sam, +5
Vroon, Tony, +17
Warners, Jim, +16

Team B/Handicap
*Elenbaas, Steve, +15
Grek, Chris, +14
Ox, Mark, +6
Rice, Mark, +18
Rice, Rodger, +22
Tanis, Dave, +13
Tanis, Dirk, +17
Tanis, Jack, +17 (rookie)
Tanis, Jeff, +8
Tanis, Owen, +23
Topliff, John, +20
*Vandenberge, Mark, +29
Vander Wal, Dan, +10

* Mark Vandenberge and Steve Elenbaas are sharing one spot. Steve is playing Thursday and Mark is playing Friday and Saturday.

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 John Mulder chooses.

Final...Final Lodging List

One last change. See below. Sundance #7 and #15 have changes from the last post.

Sundance #7
Jeff Tanis
Dave Tanis
Owen Tanis
Dirk Tanis

Sundance #15
Don VanZee
Jim Baker
Jim Warners

Sundance #27
John Mulder
Dan Rosema
J.D. Rosema
Chris Grek
Mark Ox

Sundance #1
Mark Rice
Rodger Rice
Thom Anema
Dick Anema
John Topliff

Gentle Winds #23/24
Jack Vos
Jon Vos
Sam Vos
Tony Vroon
Mark Vandenberge
Dan Vander Wal

Mark Ox Joins Tournament!; Rooming List Change!

Glen Arbor, MI--The tournament committee announced today Mark Ochsankehl (Ox) has joined the tournament bringing the total number of participants to 24. The tournament is full.

Ox joined the tournament in 2013 and has been a welcome presence ever since. Welcome Ox!

The smooth swinging Ox enters the 2015 tournament with a +6 handicap index having shot 78-80-82-76 in 2014 for a 79 average. Ox's handicap index has steadily dropped since joining the tournament as a +8.

The addition of Ox changes has caused a slight revision of condo assignments. Some condo assignments have changed. The most up to date condo lodging list is below and has been sent to The Homestead management.

Sundance #7
Jeff Tanis
Dave Tanis
Owen Tanis
Dirk Tanis

Sundance #15
John Mulder
Dan Rosema
J.D. Rosema

Sundance #27
Don VanZee
Jim Baker
Jim Warners
Chris Grek
Mark Ox

Sundance #1
Mark Rice
Rodger Rice
Thom Anema
Dick Anema
John Topliff

Gentle Winds #23/24
Jack Vos
Jon Vos
Sam Vos
Tony Vroon
Mark Vandenberge
Dan Vander Wal

Trending Down: 2015 Handicaps and Tee Assignments Announced

Glen Arbor, MI--In a complete reversal of last year's tournament, when almost every player's handicap had gone up going into the tournament, almost every returning player's handicap has gone down heading into the 2015 event. Clearly, Lakewood Shores courses were agreeable to last year's participants.

Leading the charge with the greatest differential, both Jeff Tanis and Rodger Rice lowered their handicap indexes a full five points (-5).

Jeff played spectacular golf all weekend going 78-85-82-84 for an 82 average and lowering his handicap from +13 to +8.

Rodger played well too, but his downward movement may also have been a function of how uncharacteristically high it was going into the 2014 tournament. Rodger entered the 2014 tournament with an index of +27 and cries of "sandbagger" from most of the participants. He quickly silenced those cries going 100-98-97-101 for a 99 average, lowering his index from +27 to a more reasonable +22.

Not to be outdone by his son, tournament tall timber, Dave Tanis, also lowered his handicap four points, going 86-86-88-94 for an 89 average and dropping his index from +17 to +13. Dave has been a model of consistency since joining the tournament, always hovering around a +9 to +13 index until 2012 and 2013's courses (Garland & Hawk's Eye/The Chief, respectively) threw him off his game. He's back where he belongs and the tournament is thankful for that.

Tall Timber, Dave Tanis, prepares to unleash

Speaking of sandbagging, Mark Rice played brutal golf in the 2014 tournament (his teammates almost kicked him off the team) going 90-94-97-96 for a 94 average, skyrocketing his handicap a full eight (yes, 8) points from +10 to +18. After receiving several tips and complaints from 2014 participants, a full investigation by the tournament's rules committee determined no sandbagging occurred. The player in question simply sucked. All charges were dropped amidst uproarious laughter and snickering by the committee.

Sandbagger, Mark Rice

Going ever lower, young gun Sam Vos, continues to tear up the tournament and lead all players. Sam entered the 2014 tournament tied with Mark Ox for the low index of +7. He shredded that in 2014 going 73-81-81-78 for a 78 average and lowering his index by two more points to +5--tying a tournament record. Only one other player in the in the 27-year history of the event (Donovan Van Zee) has entered the tournament with a +5 handicap index or a scoring average below 80. Dononvan Zee entered the 2012 tourament with +5 and 78 scoring average. How utterly fitting this new record tying feat should be held by none other than the grandson of the tournament's namesake and co-founder. Congratulations, Sam Vos. Your grandpa would have been so proud.

Sam Vos: tournament co-record holder for low scoring average and handicap index

All this sets up for a terrific 2015 tournament. Indexes are below and tee assignments are below. Tees assignment indicate tee played in the tournament to achieve the current handicap index. Rookie handicaps are estimated as are the tees from which they play.

Name, Tee, Index
Dick Anema, Gold, +31
Thom Anema, Blue, +16
Jim Baker, White, +21
Steve Elenbaas, Blue, +15
Chris Grek, White, +14
John Mulder, White, +19
Mark Rice, Blue, +18
Rodger Rice, Gold, +22
Dan Rosema, Blue, +10
J.D. Rosema, Blue, +16
Dave Tanis, Gold, +13
Dirk Tanis, White, +17
Jack Tanis, White, +16
Jeff Tanis, White, +8
Owen Tanis, White, +23
John Topliff, Blue, +20
Mark Vandenberge, Blue, +29
Dan Vander Wal, Blue, +10
Donovan Van Zee, White, +10
Jack Vos, White, +17
Jon Vos, Blue, +10
Sam Vos, Blue, +5
Tony Vroon, White, +17
Jim Warners, White, +16

2015 Rooming and Final Participant's List Announced

Glen Arbor, MI--the tournament committee today announced the final confirmed list of participants and the rooming list for 28th annual James E. Vos Memorial Invitational. Participants in the 2015 tournament will be staying in five different condos along the Crystal River and near the lakeshore.

Because the condos are privately owned, each condo is unique, offering different floor plans and very different sleeping arrangements--everything from a king bed to bunk beds. These are not standard one-size-fits-all condos as we've stayed in the past. Even the per night price of each condo is different.

Despite the different condo prices, and to keep things as simple as possible, the executive committee has decided to maintain a same-price-for-all pricing policy. Everyone will pay the same lodging price regardless of which condo you are in or which bed you choose/are assigned. The Homestead staff has been instructed to create same-price invoicing for every golfer.

Having said that, each condo may work out these differences among themselves. If you do, the tournament committee is suggesting a $30 price difference between those sleeping in kings/queens vs. those in twins and bunks. But, that is entirely up to your condo-mates and any price variances must be worked out among yourselves, not with the Homestead staff. They will be charging each person the same price regardless.

A separate post will be made later in the week about final golf and lodging pricing.

Herewith the rooms and participants assigned. The links to the condo web pages are also included.

Sundance #7
Jeff Tanis
Dave Tanis
Owen Tanis
Dirk Tanis
Sleeping: 2 queens, 2 sets of bunk beds
http://www.thehomesteadresort.com/realestate/search_display_rentals.php?propertyid=2094

Sundance #15
John Mulder
Chris Grek
Dan Rosema
J.D. Rosema
Sleeping: 2 queens, twin, sleeper sofa
http://www.thehomesteadresort.com/realestate/search_display_rentals.php?propertyid=2096

Sundance #27
Don VanZee
Jim Baker
Jim Warners
Dan Vander Wal
Sleeping: 2 queens, 2 twins, sleeper sofa
http://www.thehomesteadresort.com/realestate/search_display_rentals.php?propertyid=2097

Sundance #1
Mark Rice
Rodger Rice
Thom Anema
Dick Anema
John Topliff
Sleeping: king, 2 queens, 2 twins
http://www.thehomesteadresort.com/realestate/search_display_rentals.php?propertyid=2424

Gentle Winds #23/24
Jack Vos
Jon Vos
Sam Vos
Tony Vroon
Steve Elenbaas/Mark Vandenberge (splitting time and trip $)
Sleeping: 2 queens, four twins
http://www.thehomesteadresort.com/realestate/search_display_rentals.php?propertyid=2472

Note: joining us for golf but not lodging is also Jack Tanis. Yes, a fifth Tanis! They are everywhere. Jack is Dave's brother and Jeff's uncle. Jack also owns condo at The Homestead. Jack agreed to join us somewhat last minute when we had some late cancellations. Jack will be staying at his place. Welcome Jack!

The addition of Jack combined with the loss of Kyle Vander Wal (ankle surgery) and Mike Posby (new job) brings the total number of participants for this year's tournament to 23. A separate post will be made later in the week regarding handicaps and tee assignments.

Nostalgia Sunday - The One That Launched It All

Byron Center, MI--The James E. Vos Memorial Invitational committee announced today they recently added several previously unknown and historic photos to the tournament archives. The photos were discovered by tournament co-founder and executive committee member, Jack Vos, as he was cleaning out files in his home's lower level.

Finding old golf photos is fun and surprising in and of itself. These photos, however, are historic in that they are the only known images of the inaugural tournament, held May 5-7, 1988. Three images were found and quickly scanned. Paired with additional and previously archived data, they paint a fascinating and humorous picture of four friends bound by the same traditions of the game that frame what is now the James E. Vos Sr. Memorial Invitational.

From left to right, the tournament's co-founders as they appeared in 1988 on the eve of inaugural tournament: Mark Rice, Jim Vos, Sr., Thom Anema, Jack Vos.

The tournament was held over two nights and two days and cost $121.90 for three rounds of golf and two nights lodging. The tournament's first trip sheet was printed on an old dot-matrix printer and is below.

Several things are worth noting. One, the trip dates. May 5-7. Brrrr. The tournament would be held in early May for two more years until 1990 when a spring snowstorm dumped 2-4 inches of snow on Boyne Highlands washing out two rounds. The snow eventually melted and golf was played, but with snow in the bunkers. Two, 36-hole days were the norm from the tournament's first day of play. Three, and perhaps most importantly, the photos of the tournament's namesake, James E. Vos Sr., are priceless. Stylish and with an ear-to-ear grin, the mighty Buick LeSabre Brougham behind him, he was clearly in his glory and his element.

Three additional pictures found in the same batch help complete the story.

The last round of the first trip was played on the Schuss Mt. course. Jim Vos Sr. and Mark Rice played a 2-man best ball vs. Jack Vos and Thom Anema for dinner that evening.

Schuss Mt. 16th Hole as it appeared in May 1988.

The Homestead Resort to Host 28th Annual James E. Vos Memorial Invitational

Byron Center, MI--The James E. Vos Memorial Invitational tournament committee made an unprecedented announcement today. For the first time ever it will bring the tournament to Michigan's Leelanau Peninsula and The Homestead Resort, overlooking Lake Michigan and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park.

www.thehomsteadresort.com

Until recent years the tournament had almost exclusively been held in northern lower Michigan's big resorts--Treetops, Boyne, and Garland Resort. Things began to change in 2009 as tournament planners began exploring new options and lower package prices. Since then, the tournament has been hosted by several "firsts" including A-ga-ming and, most recently, Lakewood Shores. But the tournament has never been held in the Leelanau Peninsula.

In playing host, The Homestead will be the tournament's lodging headquarters. The actual tournament will be played on three different courses in and around the area, none of which has ever hosted a JEV tournament round until this year. The courses are:

Manitou Passage Golf Club (www.manitoupassagegolfclub.com)
Mistwood Golf Club (www.mistwoodgolf.com)
The Leelanau Club at Bahle Farms (www.leelanuclub.com)

Manitou Passage is a 20-year old Arnold Palmer design originally opened as King's Challenge. It fell on hard times and into disrepair until The Homestead purchased it in 2009 and asked The King back for full rennovation. Mistwood is an early 1990's Jerry Matthews design with 27-holes. The Leelanau Club is a little known but well regarded and relatively new Gary Pulsipher design.

The tournament will be held from Wednesday evening, June 3 through Saturday morning, June 6. The tournament executive committee is sending tournament invitations this weekend.