This year's field will again include a healthy mix of our tall-timbers of age and wisdom, their now aging kids, our now growing segment of fearless youth, and the always welcome new rookies.
The committee welcomes back for the second consecutive year, the ageless Dick Anema and his son, and tournament co-founder, Thom. The Anema's are the most geographically distant participants, hailing from Denver, CO. Thom has been coming to the tournament since it's inception in 1988. Dick joined in the tournament's third year: 1990.
Families have always been part of the tournament and this year is no different. The 2016 tournament will feature no less than five Tanis', four Vos', and four Mulder/Rosema's. All five Tanis' from the 2015 tournament are back: Tall-Timber Dave, son Jeff, grandsons Owen and Dirk, and brother Jack who returns for his sophomore stint after being a rookie in 2015. Welcome Tanis'!
Not to be outdone, Doc John Mulder keeps adding step-sons to the tournament and is now up to three. Dan Rosema has been with the tournament since 2012. J.D. joined in 2015 and will return. The tournament now welcomes Ben Rosema to the 2016 tourney. Ben will be one of the tournament's rookies.
The Vos family has been part of the tournament's history and tradition since its founding year in 1988. Jack Vos is one of the tournament's co-founders as was his late father and the tournament's namesake, James E. Vos. Joining Jack are his son Sam, part of the tournament's youth movement, and Jack's brother and long time participant, Jon Vos, who's first tournament was 1994.
Additionally, the committee heartily welcomes back Jim Vos, Jr.! Jim was a regular during the tournament's early years, last playing in 1998. Jim is a high school teacher and the school's calendar often conflicts with the tournament's early June dates. Not this year.
The Grand Haven contingent continues to represent, and represent well. Don "Dynamite" Van Zee has been with the tournament since 1994. He returns along with Jim Warners ('99), Bob Warners ('01), and Jim Baker ('11). The committee was thrilled to receive the commitment of young Donovan Van Zee, Jr. Donovan was a rookie in 2014. Joining Donovan Jr. will be his friend and rookie, Kellen Van Dreumel. Welcome Kellen!
Rounding out the field are tournament co-founder Mark Rice, his father and Tall Timber, Rodger Rice, and the famously good humored, fun-loving, long-time friend of the tournament, Tony Vroon.
Sadly, the 2016 playing of the James E. Vos Memorial Invitational will be without several friends and familiar faces. Dan and Kyle Vander Wal both have unavoidable commitments and are not able to attend this year. Dan joined the tournament in 1996 and has not missed a year since. Kyle joined in 2010 and fit so well it feels like he has been with tournament since the early days. The 2016 tournament will also be without Chris Grek, Mark Ochsankehl, Steve Elenbaas, Ken Terpstra, Brian Van Hall, Mark Vandenberge, Phil Vandenberge, Jeff Stuk, John Topliff, and so many more. We will miss them all.
Herewith, the complete field for the 29th annual James E. Vos Sr. Memorial Invitational.
| Anema, Dick |
| Anema, Thom |
| Baker, Jim |
| Mulder, John |
| Rice, Mark |
| Rice, Rodger |
| Rosema, Ben |
| Rosema, Dan |
| Rosema, JD |
| Tanis, Dave |
| Tanis, Dirk |
| Tanis, Jack |
| Tanis, Jeff |
| Tanis, Owen |
| Van Zee, Donovan |
| Van Zee, Jr., Donovan |
| VanDreumel, Kellen |
| Vos, Jack |
| Vos, Jim |
| Vos, Jon |
| Vos, Sam |
| Vroon, Tony |
| Warners, Jim |
| Warners, Robert |
