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.

Monday, June 1, 2015

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.

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