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.

Sunday, June 3, 2018

Final 2018 Tournament Details

Bellaire, MI--Looking forward to the 31st annual James E. Vos Memorial Invitational. Here are some final trip details for this year's participants.

1. Package price is $395. Your $100 deposit was due 5/6 with payment in full due on 5/24. These arrangements should already have been made by the resort. If you have not already made arrangements for these payments, please call 866-695-5004 to do so.

2. Package includes three nights lodging in the Lakeview Hotel (2 double beds), unlimited golf for two days (Thursday and Friday) and 18-holes of golf on Saturday morning, use of practice facility and range balls, unlimited use of the Fitness Center, complimentary shuttle service, and all taxes and local fees.

3. 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, June 7
Morning - Cedar River
7:00am-7:50am - 2-man best ball (match play)

Afternoon - Cedar River
1:10pm-2:00pm - 2-man best ball (stroke play)

Friday, June 8
Morning - The Legend
7:00am-7:50am - 2-man best ball (match play)

Afternoon - Summit
2:50pm-3:50pm - 2-man scramble (stroke play)

Saturday, June 9
Morning - Schuss Mt.
8:00am-9:00am - Singles (match play)

4. Team Pairings, Matches, and Team Names

Teams have already been selected and sent out In addition, all the matches for the tournament have also already been created. This is being done to save time and create efficiency when we have a group this large. A pairings sheet will be sent directly to all participants in a private email.

The reigning MVP (Cam VanKoevering) normal selects his team's name (either Recovery Shots or Fairway Finders) at the Wednesday night Gathering. However, Cam is unable to play this year so another means of selecting team names will be determined and announced later. Scorecards for day one of the tournament will be handed on Wednesday night. Every evening, the next day's scorecards will be handed out.

Meals are not included this year. There are several options for dinners and we will figure this out as we go. A group our size is always difficult for any restaurant to handle and we may have to split up. We'll play it by ear from day-to-day. One night we typically have pizza brought in. The other nights we typically all end up at a local restaurant/bar for supper in Bellaire. There are two great spots in Bellaire: The Bellaire Bar and Shorts Brewing Co. There are also restaurants/bars on property including in the Lakeview restaurant, located right in the hotel where most of the guys are staying.

5. Wednesday Golf, Hotel Check-In, and The Gathering

Wednesday is a non-tournament day. We have secured three tee times on The Legend beginning at 12:30pm on Wednesday at a rate of $49 per player. Currently, there are ten (10) players signed up for this, leaving one twosome open. If you wish to join the last twosome, let Mark Rice know. Pay in The Legend pro shop.

Check-in is officially not until 5pm. However, you are welcome to call the front desk on your way up. I am told we are welcome to call the front desk at 866-695-5010 on the way up to inquire if you are able to check in early, or inquire when you arrive. No guarantees your room will be available.

The Gathering. If you are able, please plan to meet as a large group for a bit on Wednesday night. At this point I'm not sure where we'll meet. There is a common area (not extremely large however) located just off the wing that our group is lodging in at the Hotel. It is a public space so we can’t guarantee it will be available but we are welcome to use it, according to hotel staff. We will try to meet there or somewhere in the Lakeview hotel Wednesday night for this brief meeting. This has become a nice little pre-tournament gathering where we greet each other, welcome the rookies, go over the pairings for matches, and go over other tournament details. We'll start this meeting around 9:00pm and try to wrap by 9:30pm. It's important to not miss this. Please do your best to be on time.

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

See you in a few days!

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