Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Tee Box Policy Reminder
Lewiston, MI--Participants in the 2012 James E. Vos Memorial Invitational are reminded of the new tee box policy, newly instituted at last year's tournament.
Participants will be asked and expected to declare each evening the tees the expect to play the next day. It will be strongly encouraged for participants to declare before the tournament and no later than Saturday evening's opening ceremonies the tees they expect to play for the duration of the tournament. Players will be encouraged to play from the same set of tees the entire week. Exceptions will be made in cases where health or other extenuating circumstances make it very difficult for a player to play the next day from previously declared tees.
With the new requirements came a change in policy regarding strokes given or taken away by moving tees. Previous methodology allocated 200 yard to be equal to approximately 1 stroke. A change from blue tees to white tees of 400 yards, for example, would be a handicap change of +/- two strokes.
While a player may, in fact, take one stroke to hit a ball 200 yards, the tournament committee also recognizes 400 yards constitutes a par 4 hole on most golf courses. The new policy roughly translates into one stroke for every 100 yards and four strokes for 400 yards. The specific stroke allocation between tees for the Garland courses will be announced when handicaps are announced. That announcement is expected this weekend.
The selection of tees and the corresponding stroke allocations have been the subject of spirited debate for years among the tournaments participants. Intended to encourage participants to play from the tees from which they get the most enjoyment, and to give some golfers who's game is "between tees" the opportunity to move during the week depending on each course's length, the previous system allowed players to switch anytime before a round, requiring they either give up or receive additional strokes, depending on whether they move up or move back a set of tees.
Despite its intent, it received criticism for making it too easy for players to move up or back, and it created the opportunity for players to more easily switch during a tournament--sometimes right before a match--depending on the course length and on which tees gave them the greatest stroke advantage during a match. In some cases, a player could move up tees, gain 400-500 yards and only give up 2 strokes in their handicap.
As always, the goal is for the spirit of the game and the values the tournament's namesake embraced to remain: friendship, honor, and love of the game.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Pre-Tournament Recon
Byron Center, MI--The James E. Vos Memorial Invitational executive committee announced today they have asked executive committee member, Mark Rice, to form a small team and head north to Garland this week in order to conduct pre-tournament reconnaissance and prepare the courses for the 25th anniversary competition. Joining Rice will be Rodger Rice, Jeff Tanis, and Dave Tanis. Among the team's objectives are:
1. Survey, photography, and assessment of the Garland Villa lodging arrangements.
2. Careful course inspection of tournament courses, specifically the Monarch and Swampfire courses.
3. Inspection and trial of on-and-off-property breakfast and dinner options including beer sampling.
4. Collection of tournament scorecards.
5. Meet with Garland management for final tournament preparation details.
6. Inspection of possible private gathering room to be used as an evening post-match tournament lounge.
7. Inspection of large on-course putting green to determine feasibility of a tournament putting contest.
8. Inspection of other area golf courses as possible future tournament sites.
The foursome will leave Grand Rapids Wednesday, May 16 and return Friday evening, May 18. Rice has been asked to post a full report with photos upon his return.
1. Survey, photography, and assessment of the Garland Villa lodging arrangements.
2. Careful course inspection of tournament courses, specifically the Monarch and Swampfire courses.
3. Inspection and trial of on-and-off-property breakfast and dinner options including beer sampling.
4. Collection of tournament scorecards.
5. Meet with Garland management for final tournament preparation details.
6. Inspection of possible private gathering room to be used as an evening post-match tournament lounge.
7. Inspection of large on-course putting green to determine feasibility of a tournament putting contest.
8. Inspection of other area golf courses as possible future tournament sites.
The foursome will leave Grand Rapids Wednesday, May 16 and return Friday evening, May 18. Rice has been asked to post a full report with photos upon his return.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
25th Anniversary Tournament Shirts
Lewiston, MI--The James E. Vos Senior Memorial Invitational executive committee today revealed the 25th anniversary team shirts. Team Grand Haven will wear a blue and white striped Adidas shirt. Team World will wear a red and black striped Adidas shirt. Both shirts will carry the tournament's logo on the left chest and the "25th" insignia on the right sleeve. Participants may wear them throughout the tournament but will be required to wear them for singles match play and a tournament photo on the last day: Tuesday, June 5.
The shirts are being supplied and embroidered by Image Builders in Jenison, MI and are being partially underwritten by Dr. John Mulder. Particpants will be asked to purchase the shirt for $27, payable to the executive committee at anytime during the tournament.
The tournament executive committee wishes to express its deep gratitude to Dr. Mulder for his very generous gift.
Back to the Future
Lewiston, MI--The tournament executive committee today announced the teams for the 25th playing of the James E. Vos Senior Memorial Invitational. Harkening back to the tournament's earliest days the 2012 teams will bring the return of "Grand Haven vs. The World" with just a few slight alterations.
The tournament changed to its current Ryder Cup format in 1994 and shortly thereafter moved to a Grand Haven vs. The World team format creating a long-standing fun but intense and sometimes heated rivalry lead by captains Jack Vos (Grand Haven) and Mark Rice (World). Strategery, gamesmanship, and competitive tactics to create mismatches during this period are part of the lore and fabric of this tournament, from Captain Vos slipping encouraging notes under his team's doors at night, to last minute player announcements of moving tee boxes, to comments about certain player's games "peaking"--anything to get an edge.
The intensity erupted in 1999 at Boyne Highlands after the tournament ended in a tie for the first and only time in its history. With Team Grand Haven holding the Senior Cup after winning it in 1998, they made the understandable assumption a tie would result in their holding the trophy another year. Team World had other ideas and reminded their competitors no rules had been previously established concerning matches ending in a tie, stating that a tie should be a tie--no one holds the Cup. Emotions and frustrations boiled over. Alas, it was perhaps this intensity that drove players like Van Zee, Vos, Tanis, and Vandenberge to play on in a cold, drenching rain at The Chief in 2001 and, perhaps drove others to depart the tournament altogether.
The Grand Haven vs. The World team format would continue for six more years until 2007 when Captains Vos and Rice decided, as fun and competitive as the format had been, a change was necessary in order to restore some of the tenants of the tournament that perhaps were in danger of being lost: friendship, camaraderie, and a love of game. Most would agree the change to picking new teams each year has been necessary and successful. Most would also agree, however, there was something special about the old format and the spirited rivalry it brought.
Interestingly, in thirteen years of playing a Grand Haven vs. The World team format, the matches have ended with six wins each and a tie. With this year's return to the old format, one team finally have an edge.
This year's teams are as follows:
Team Grand Haven
Team World
The tournament changed to its current Ryder Cup format in 1994 and shortly thereafter moved to a Grand Haven vs. The World team format creating a long-standing fun but intense and sometimes heated rivalry lead by captains Jack Vos (Grand Haven) and Mark Rice (World). Strategery, gamesmanship, and competitive tactics to create mismatches during this period are part of the lore and fabric of this tournament, from Captain Vos slipping encouraging notes under his team's doors at night, to last minute player announcements of moving tee boxes, to comments about certain player's games "peaking"--anything to get an edge.
The intensity erupted in 1999 at Boyne Highlands after the tournament ended in a tie for the first and only time in its history. With Team Grand Haven holding the Senior Cup after winning it in 1998, they made the understandable assumption a tie would result in their holding the trophy another year. Team World had other ideas and reminded their competitors no rules had been previously established concerning matches ending in a tie, stating that a tie should be a tie--no one holds the Cup. Emotions and frustrations boiled over. Alas, it was perhaps this intensity that drove players like Van Zee, Vos, Tanis, and Vandenberge to play on in a cold, drenching rain at The Chief in 2001 and, perhaps drove others to depart the tournament altogether.
The Grand Haven vs. The World team format would continue for six more years until 2007 when Captains Vos and Rice decided, as fun and competitive as the format had been, a change was necessary in order to restore some of the tenants of the tournament that perhaps were in danger of being lost: friendship, camaraderie, and a love of game. Most would agree the change to picking new teams each year has been necessary and successful. Most would also agree, however, there was something special about the old format and the spirited rivalry it brought.
Interestingly, in thirteen years of playing a Grand Haven vs. The World team format, the matches have ended with six wins each and a tie. With this year's return to the old format, one team finally have an edge.
This year's teams are as follows:
Team Grand Haven
| Baker, Jim |
| Elenbaas, Steve |
| Grek, Chris |
| Mulder, John |
| Rosema, Dan |
| Stuk, Jeff |
| Terpstra, Ken |
| Van Hall, Brian |
| Van Zee, Dirk |
| Van Zee, Don |
| Vos, Jack |
| Vos, Jon |
| Vos, Sam |
| Warners, Bob |
| Warners, Jim |
Team World
| Anema, Dick |
| Anema, Thom |
| Klunder, Ken |
| Rice, Mark |
| Rice, Rodg |
| Tanis, Dave |
| Tanis, Jeff |
| Tanis, Owen |
| Topliff, John |
| Vandenberge, Mark |
| Vandenberge, Phil |
| VanderWal, Dan |
| VanderWal, Kyle |
| Vroon, Tony |
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Dirk Van Zee Joins 25th Anniversary Tournament
Garland, MI--The James E. Vos Memorial Invitational executive committee today announced the return of long-time participant and three-time MVP, Dirk Van Zee.
Dirk's invitation came shortly after the executive committee was informed that participant Steve Elenbaas would not be able to participate in this year's tournament in its entirety. Mr. Elenbaas' vacation time schedule, and other important family commitments forced him to cut his tournament participation by 3/5's. Steve and Dirk will now together fill the 28th slot with Steve playing in Sunday's matches and Dirk playing in Monday and Tuesday's matches. Steve will also participate in Saturday's pre-tournament play which is open to all but not part of the tournament package.
While the committee expresses understanding with sadness over Steve's schedule change (Steve is a long-time participant himself), it welcomes Dirk's return. Dirk has played in numerous tournaments dating back to its early years and has been the tournament's MVP or co-MVP three times, holding it solo in 1996 and sharing the honor in 2003 with Chris Grek and again in 2007 with brother-in-law, Jack Vos. 2007 was Dirk's last time in the tournament until this year.
The tournament executive committee is sympathetic to Steve and is pleased to try to oblige the inevitable schedule changes due to conflicts, which are nothing new to the tournament and are bound to occur. However, it strongly encourages all participants to commit to the tournament in its entirety at all times.
 |
| Mr. Steve Elenbaas circa 1999 |
 |
| Mr. Dirk Van Zee circa 1999 |
Dirk's invitation came shortly after the executive committee was informed that participant Steve Elenbaas would not be able to participate in this year's tournament in its entirety. Mr. Elenbaas' vacation time schedule, and other important family commitments forced him to cut his tournament participation by 3/5's. Steve and Dirk will now together fill the 28th slot with Steve playing in Sunday's matches and Dirk playing in Monday and Tuesday's matches. Steve will also participate in Saturday's pre-tournament play which is open to all but not part of the tournament package.
While the committee expresses understanding with sadness over Steve's schedule change (Steve is a long-time participant himself), it welcomes Dirk's return. Dirk has played in numerous tournaments dating back to its early years and has been the tournament's MVP or co-MVP three times, holding it solo in 1996 and sharing the honor in 2003 with Chris Grek and again in 2007 with brother-in-law, Jack Vos. 2007 was Dirk's last time in the tournament until this year.
The tournament executive committee is sympathetic to Steve and is pleased to try to oblige the inevitable schedule changes due to conflicts, which are nothing new to the tournament and are bound to occur. However, it strongly encourages all participants to commit to the tournament in its entirety at all times.
Monday, April 30, 2012
2012 Rooming List Announced
Lewiston, MI--The tournament executive committee today announced the tournament's rooming list. Players will be staying four to a unit in the Garland Lodge villas. Located a short walk from the main lodge the villas feature a mutual sitting area with a gas log fireplace and two separate bedrooms, each with its own bathroom and shower.
Overall the executive committee is pleased with the lodging foursomes with the exception of villa three. Concerns have already been expressed about this foursome staying up all night and missing tee times. Extra curfew times may be imposed for villa three.
http://www.garlandusa.com/explore/lodging/villas
Villa 1
Mark Rice
Ken Klunder
John Topliff
Chris Grek
Villa 2
Jack Vos
Sam Vos
Jeff Stuk
Jon Vos
Villa 3
Villa 4
Villa 5
Villa 6
Villa 7
Overall the executive committee is pleased with the lodging foursomes with the exception of villa three. Concerns have already been expressed about this foursome staying up all night and missing tee times. Extra curfew times may be imposed for villa three.
http://www.garlandusa.com/explore/lodging/villas
Villa 1
Mark Rice
Ken Klunder
John Topliff
Chris Grek
Villa 2
Jack Vos
Sam Vos
Jeff Stuk
Jon Vos
Villa 3
Dave Tanis
Dick Anema
Phil Vandenberge
Rodger Rice
Villa 4
Brian Van Hall
Don Van Zee
Jim Baker
Bob Warners
Villa 5
Dan VanderWal
Kyle VanderWal
Jeff Tanis
Owen Tanis
Villa 6
John Mulder
Dan Rosema
Jim Warners
Ken Terpstra
Villa 7
Thom Anema
Tony Vroon
Steve Elenbaas
Mark Vandenberge
Executive Committee Announced
Byron Center, MI--The James E. Vos Memorial tournament committee today announced the formation of an executive team to assist in the planning, preparation and staging of the 25th anniversary invitational tournament. Co-founders Mark Rice, Jack Vos, and Thom Anema will be joined by longtime tournament participant Jim Warners to form this year's executive committee. The tournament has always been well supported by helpful participants, encouragers, consultants, math-wizzes, and wise counselors, but this is the first time such a team has officially been recognized and appointed.
This is a big year for the invitational with a record turnout, making the planning and staging all the more complicated and time-consuming. The formation of an executive team allows for more people to be involved in the planning and brings more and broader voices into the decision-making process--all pluses. It also brings some helpful relief to tournament stagers Rice and Vos who will now have a team of four to aid in dealing with tournament details, decisions, the inevitable surprise, as well as rules interpretation which, at times can be fraught with complexity and emotion.
The committee has already been at work planning a rooming list and will soon concentrate on forming tournament teams and daily pairings. While historically teams are chosen with all participants present the evening before the tournament, and daily pairings chosen each evening of the tournament, the number of participants at this year's event (28) makes doing that impossible. Teams and pairings will be made in advance and announced prior to the tournament. There are even rumors surfacing that, in honor of the tournament's 25th anniversary, teams may revert back to the old "Grand Haven/Lakeshore vs. The World" format. Stay tuned.
Kudos to Robert Warners and others for suggesting the formation of an executive team. Throughout the tournament and after its conclusion the executive team encourages your feedback on the idea.
This is a big year for the invitational with a record turnout, making the planning and staging all the more complicated and time-consuming. The formation of an executive team allows for more people to be involved in the planning and brings more and broader voices into the decision-making process--all pluses. It also brings some helpful relief to tournament stagers Rice and Vos who will now have a team of four to aid in dealing with tournament details, decisions, the inevitable surprise, as well as rules interpretation which, at times can be fraught with complexity and emotion.
The committee has already been at work planning a rooming list and will soon concentrate on forming tournament teams and daily pairings. While historically teams are chosen with all participants present the evening before the tournament, and daily pairings chosen each evening of the tournament, the number of participants at this year's event (28) makes doing that impossible. Teams and pairings will be made in advance and announced prior to the tournament. There are even rumors surfacing that, in honor of the tournament's 25th anniversary, teams may revert back to the old "Grand Haven/Lakeshore vs. The World" format. Stay tuned.
Kudos to Robert Warners and others for suggesting the formation of an executive team. Throughout the tournament and after its conclusion the executive team encourages your feedback on the idea.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
