Field Set for 2011 Tourney

Bellaire, MI--Tournament directors today announced the field is set for the 2011 James E. Vos Memorial Invitational to be played at Shanty Creek Resort. Twelve participants will compete this year, six of whom will walk away with the coveted tournament prize--the Senior Cup--so named not for the age of the participants but for the tournament's founder and namesake: James E. "Senior" Vos.

The field was very much in question this year with many long time participants having conflicts or simply deciding to take a year off. In February the tournament directors trimmed the field maximum from 16 to 12 participants due to lack of interest and even considered canceling the 2011 tournament. Stuck at nine participants for weeks, the tournament field stopped accepting applications on April 12 when tournament co-founder and longtime participant, Jack Vos, announced his return for a twenty-fourth consecutive year, bringing with him rookies Dr. Jeffrey Stuk, and the young Samuel Vos--grandson of the tournament's namesake--bringing the total participants to twelve.

Participants for the 2011 James E. Vos Memorial Invitational will include nine veterans and three rookies (Jim Baker, Jeff Stuk, Sam Vos), although half of Dan VanderWal's hip will also be a rookie:

Jim Baker

Chris Grek

John Mulder

Mark Rice

Rodger Rice

Jeffrey Stuk

Jack Vos

Jon Vos

Samuel Vos

Dan "Gimpy" VanderWal

Donovan VanZee

Jim Warners

2010 Images

2011 James E. Vos Memorial Tournament Invitations Announced

Byron Center, MI - January 31, 2011

The James E. Vos Memorial Tournament Committee announced today invitations have been sent out for its 2011 tournament scheduled for June 8-11 at Shanty Creek Resort in Bellaire, MI.

Overlooking beautiful Lake Bellaire, Shanty Creek hosts the 24th annual event for its third time. The resort holds special significance in the tournament's history. Its Schuss Mt. and Shanty Creek courses hosted the inaugural event held in 1988, and it was sitting on the balcony of the resort, enjoying the sunset when the inklings of an annual tournament first took root among the four founding players including James E. Vos, the tournament's namesake.

The tournament returned to Shanty Creek thirteen years later in 2001 and hosted one of the most memorable tournaments in the invitational's history. Played in May instead of the traditional June time slot, the tournament experienced some of the foulest weather ever. Friday's 36 holes were played on The Legend course in a steady, cold rain. Amazingly, no one quit or gave up. The player's woke up Saturday morning to near freezing temps. After a long frost delay, everyone teed it up, ready to make the most of. By the second hole, the skies opened up and another all-day deluge let loose. Controversy and courage ensued as some players simply could not take another day living like river rats. Others, most notably Jon Vos vs. Dave Tanis battled it out to the bitter end, each conceding lengthy putts at the 18th for a half. That day and specifically that round forever lives in the infamy of the James E. Vos Memorial Golf Invitational. A related story about the 2001 tournament will be posted at a later date.

Excitement is already building for the 2011 tournament. Receiving invitations this week are:

Mark Rice (tournament co-chair)
Jack Vos (tournament co-chair)
Jon Vos
Jim Vos
Thom Anema
Dick Anema
Rodger Rice
Jeff Tanis
Dave Tanis
Donovan VanZee
Dirk VanZee
Bob Warners
Jim Warners
Ken Terpstra
Joel Neiwenhuis
Doug Gulker
Tony Vroon
Mark Vandenberge
Phil Vandenberge
Brian VanHall
Steve Elenbaas

Dan Vanderwal

Kyle Vanderwal

Chris Grek

John Mulder

John Topliff

A deposit of $100 is required to reserve a spot in the field of 16 by the end of March, 2010. Deposit checks should be made out to Mark Rice and mailed to:

2539 Marfield Dr. SW
Byron Center, MI 49315

2011 Tournament Venue Announced

January 27, 2011 - The James E. Vos Invitational Tournament Committee is pleased to announce the 2011 tournament will be contested on Shanty Creek Resorts' Legends and Cedar River Courses (http://www.shantycreek.com/). Site of the innaugural 1988 tournament and the 2001 tournament--one of the most memorable tournaments in the James E. Vos Invitational history--the resort is home to four different courses, of which the Legend and Cedar River courses are considered the best. The Arnold Palmer/Ed Seay-designed Legend, opened for play in 1986 just as the golf boom was hitting northern Michigan. It has stood the test of time and is considered by some tournament contestants to be one of their top 5 courses in Michigan. From its jaw-dropping tee shot on hole #1 the course rarely lets up as it winds its way through valleys, up bluffs, and alongside streams. Rarely will you see another golfer. The newer, Tom Weiskopf-designed Cedar River, was an instant favorite when it opened for play in 1991. Its broad-shouldered fairways are more forgiving than its sister Legend course, but the course is no less stunning and features plenty of gut-check holes including the cut-as-much-as-you-dare 8th, and the deliciously dangerous short par 4 13th--a Weiskopf design trademark.

Whatever your favorite, the tournament's return to Shanty Creek promises two great venues and a lot of fun.

Invitations and further details for the 24rd annual tournament will be delivered in the coming weeks. This year's tournament will be limited to sixteen competitors.

2010 Headlines

Here's what's buzzing among the press as the JEV tourney approaches:

1. Will Dan VanderWal return to form and repeat as 2010 MVP?
2. How will necomer's Topliff and Kyle "The Kid" VanderWal fair under tournament pressure?
3. Has Jimmy Warner's finally "bought" his game to a new level with his $1,000 equipment purchases?
4. Will we finally get to see the long awaited "Clash of the Titans V" pitting Jon Vos and Dave Tanis against each other for the fifth time--a series of matches spanning 10 years that has never resulted in more than a 1/2 point to each?
5. Official photographer John Mulder has incredible pressure on him to produce live action documentary of this year's tourney. Can he play and click at the same time?
6. Will "VanderWal Slayer" Chris Grek return to form and extract his revenge on Danny Boy as he has time and again?
7. How will Ken Terpstra fair in his return--his first since 2007?
8. What tees will Jack Vos, Dan VanderWal, Jeff Tanis, and Bob Warners play from? All have switched tees last year. Will they return to their original starting tees, or will they play from where the left off in previous years?
9. How will the tournament fair at Belvedere?

Final Tournament Details

With the James E. Vos Memorial Tournament just days away the tourament committee announced today the tournament's official start times and events. The tournament officially kicks off Wednesday evening, June 9 at A-ga-ming Maplewood Ridge Condos with "The Gathering"--drinks, introductions, and fellowship. It is during this time we will toast the event's 23rd year, introduce new members and, once all participants have arrived, pick teams for the week and pairings for Thursday's rounds.

Wednesday, June 9
9:00pm "The Gathering"
-Welcome
-Introductions of New Invitees
-The Drawing of Teams
-The Naming of the Teams (selected by 2009's MVP)
-Thursday Pairings
-Retire

Thursday, June 10
7:30am - Sundance Course
2-man best ball match play event

1:30pm - Sundance Course
2-man best ball STROKE play event

-Evening libations
-Pizza supper in the condos OR dinner in Elk Rapids
-Friday Pairings
-Retire

Friday, June 11
8:30am - Belvedere Golf Club, Charlevoix, MI (later tee time to accomodate travel to Charlevoix)
2-man best ball match play event

2:40pm - A-ga-ming Torch Course (later tee time to accomodate travel from Charlevoix)
2-man scramble event

-Evening libations
-Pizza supper OR dinner in Elk Rapids
-"The James E. Vos Memorial Tournament Toast"
-Saturday Singles Pairings
-Retire

Saturday, June 12
8:00am - Sundance Course
Singles match play event

-Awards Ceremony
-MVP Selection and Presentation
-Cheers, Goodbye's, and Well Wishes
-Homeward Bound

Remaining Trip Details
-Total Cost is $394.40. That represents a $25 increase from last year ($370). The increase is directly due to the decision to replace Friday morning's round (played last year on the Torch course) with Belvedere Golf Club in Charlevoix. You have all already paid a $100 deposit which will be subtracted from your bill. You outstanding bill at A-ga-ming should be $294.40.
-We are in the Maplewood Ridge Condos--same as last year. Upon arriving, check in at the front desk in the main A-ga-ming clubhouse--a hexagonal wood structure. If you arrive later in the evening the building may be darkened, but open. You will find your room keys on the desk inside the clubhouse with your name on them.
-Food is NOT included in this package. The condos are equiped with small kitchens. Those sharing condos would be advised to bring snacks, breakfast food, beverages, juice, etc. The small kitchen in the A-ga-ming clubhouse serves burgers and such for lunch. I also think (but am not 100% sure) they serve some hot breakfast items.

My contact information is:
markrice6963@msn.com
616-560-3360 cell

2010 Handicap Indexes Posted

The James E. Vos Memorial Tournament Committee today announced the starting handicap indexes and tee box determinations for its field of sixteen. Leading the field with an astounding index of +7 from the black tees is Dan VanderWal. Dan created some controversy by moving to the way-back-black tees last year, but backed it up, blowing the field away with rounds of 76, 83, and 79 from the tips on the A-ga-ming Sundance course en route to going 5-0 and becoming the hands down 2010 Stroke Saver MVP trophy winner.

The tournament committee anticipates him staying at the tips, and the field awaits his decision which, in effect becomes a four stroke handicap index swing for him from 2009 to 2010. Dan entered 2009 with a +7 index, but from the blue tees. His decision to move back to the black tees allowed him to gain two extra strokes making him effectively a +9 from the black tees. He enters this year a +7 rated from the black tees. A move up to blues results in him giving up two strokes making him a +5 from the blue tees. The tournament committee wishes the best of luck to Dan VanderWal who will have extra pressure on him this year with his son, Kyle, along for the ride.

Close behind Dan is the rock solid Jon Vos. Jon's +9 from the blue tees is a two stroke upward slide from 2009 which is slighly deceptive. In six years, beginning in 2005, Jon has never been out of single digits, posting a low of +6 in 2005. Jon's "high" of +9 positions him as a very dangerous player coming into 2010.

Newcomers Ken Terpstra, John Topliff, Kyle VanderWal, Dave Tanis, and Jeff Tanis have all been handicapped in the low double digits: +10 to +14. With the exception of Topliff and VanderWal, all are based on the player's last year of play. John is brand new to the tournament and his handicap has been based on an estimate.

Movers and shakers from last year include Brian VanHall, Jack Vos, John Mulder, and Jim Warners. Mulder played spectacular golf, highlighted by a 94 on Sundance--his best round of the week--and had the biggest swing in handicap index, moving down 4 strokes from a +25 to a +21. The move was even more impressive considering, as the tournament's official photographer, he was constantly clicking the shutter of his camera while trying to play competitive golf. Way to go John. Behind John, but no less significant are

-Jim Warners, who posted a beautiful 84 on Sundance, moving his index down four strokes from +18 to +14.
-Jack Vos who with an 88 on Sudance moved from +20 to +17.
-Brian VanHall who blistered Sundance on the first day with rounds of 84 and 82. Brian drops two strokes and now sits at +11.

Name, Tee, Index
Chris Grek, white, 15
John Mulder, white 21
Mark Rice, blue, 13
Rodg Rice, white, 23
Dave Tanis, white, 12
Jeff Tanis, white, 13
Ken Terpstra, white, 11
John Topliff, blue, 14
Dan VanderWal, black, 7
Kyle VanderWal, blue, 10
Brian VanHall, blue, 11
Don VanZee, blue, 10
Jack Vos, white, 17
Jon Vos, blue, 9
Bob Warners, blue, 19
Jim Warners, blue, 14

Good luck Fellas!