The James E. Vos Memorial Golf Invitational: February 2015

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.

Sunday, February 22, 2015

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.