FULL...at Nineteen

Byron Center, MI--The James E. Vos Memorial Invitational tournament committee today announced it has closed participant invitations for the 2013 tournament, capping it at nineteen with the inclusion of the second rookie entered in the 26th annual tournament. Mark Ochsankel has accepted the tournament committee's invitation. Mark comes to the tournament through Chris "Vander Wal Killer" Grek. Welcome Mark!

Capping the number of participants at nineteen does mean slight formatting changes in tournament play, but none such that the tournament executive committee has not dealt with before. While not ideal, the committee assures the participants that number is very workable. Daily pairings will likely include one twosome playing against a single and a future "blind draw"--another team member's score randomly pulled out of a hat later that evening. This does add some drama to the tournament and some added pressure to the team with nine participants instead of ten. One's individual score, if drawn as the blind draw, could effect the outcome of not one but two matches.

Just over three weeks to go!

Sam and Cam

Byron Center, MI--The James E. Vos Memorial Invitational tournament committee today announced the return of Sam Vos for his sophomore year in the tournament. Sam is the grandson and the tournament's namesake and the son of one its founders and original participants. Sam is part of a welcome set of young guns--a new generation of tournament participants that include Owen Tanis (son of Jeff and grandson of Dave), Kyle Vander Wal (son of Dan and nephew of Nick) and Dan Rosema (stepson of Doc John Mulder, the tournament's official photographer).

Much like Kyle Vander Wal in his first year, the 2012 crop of rookies seemed unphased by the pressure, posting impressive scores and records in the 25th anniversary tourney, perhaps most notably with Sam's scorching 79 on the difficult Monarch course at Garland, albeit with an asterisk by the score. His opponent that round, another rookie, Owen Tanis, withdrew after nine holes with back spasms.

Joining Sam this year will be pal, Cam Van Koevering, another young gun and the tournament's only rookie so far. The tournament committee welcomes Cam to his first tournament. With Cam's entry, the number of participants in the 2013 tournament is now eighteen with the expectation the number will grow to twenty.

This year we are being asked to prepay the tournament fees, which were due May 1. If you have not yet paid your 2013 entry fee, please do so at your earliest convenience. Payment arrangements can be made directly with the Hawk's Eye Golf Resort. Contact Alana Sowers at alana@golfbellaire.com.

Sixteen...and counting

Byron Center, MI--The James E. Vos Memorial Invitational tournament committee announced today it has received commitments from sixteen golfers filling all the available spaces in less than a week from when the invitations were sent out.

Returning for their 26th consecutive year are tournament co-founders Jack Vos and Mark Rice. Continuing the youth movement is the return of Dan Rosema for his sophomore year. Young Dan joined last year for the 25th anniversary and played fearlessly on the tough Garland courses. He should again be a force whatever team he's on.

On the opposite end of the age spectrum the committee heartily welcomes back two of the tourney's most senior members, Rodg Rice and Dave Tanis. These well-loved "Tall Timbers" of the tournament continue to impress with their longevity, game, and endurance. Everyone not-so-secretly hopes they have the stamina and the swings of these two fine gents when they reach life's three-quarter century mark. In particular, a return to The Chief would not be the same without Dave Tanis, whose legendary mano-a-mano rain-soaked singles match vs. Jon Vos the last time the tournament was played at The Chief is part of the tournament's legend. A honorable and well-earned nod to both Dave and Rodg.

Making up the final three spots are the familiar names of Brian Van Hall, Jon Vos, and Donovan Van Zee. All have great history with the tournament, are incredibly tough competitors on the course and fine friends off the course. They have that wonderful quality of wanting to beat the tar out of you when playing against you, but win or lose, when the last putt drops, the caps are off, smiles and handshakes all around, reflecting the the true spirit of tournament's namesake himself.

Welcome this year's sixteen tournament participants:

Chris Grek
Jim Baker
John Mulder
Ken Terpstra
Jim Warners
Dan Vander Wal
Kyle Vander Wal
Nick Vander Wal
Dan Rosema
Brian Van Hall
Jack Vos
Jon Vos
Mark Rice
Don Van Zee
Rodg Rice
Dave Tanis

But, we are not full yet. Interest remains from several other new and previous participants including the young Sam Vos, tournament rookie last year. And, the tournament committee is still waiting to hear from the other brother Warners: Robert. The rumor is the number will rise to twenty participants. Stay tuned for later developments. The tournament committee has stated it will do everything it can to accommodate additional participants and is working with the host club on logistics.

2013 Tournament Filling Up. Surprise Return of A "Third" Vander Wal

Byron Center, MI--The James E. Vos Memorial Invitational tournament committee announced today that in just two short days since invitations to the 2013 tournament were sent, commitments have been received by eight players--half the available slots.

In addition to the previously reported commitments received from Chris Grek, Jim Baker, and last year's MVP Ken Terpstra, the tournament committee gladly received commitments from several past tournament MVPs. The 2011 co-MVP and official tournament photographer, Doc John Mulder, returns as does the well-loved and long-standing participant and tournament executive committee member, Jim Warners. In the tournament's 26-year history, few have as much history here than JW.

In a surprise announcement, the 2013 tournament welcomes not two, but three MVPs with the name, Vander Wal. 2009 and 2010 winners, Kyle and Dan, return as hoped, but they bring with them 2002 co-MVP Nick Vander Wal. Tournament records show Dan first joined in 1995 followed the next year by brother, Nick. Nick was a participant and fierce competitor every year from 1996 to 2002, missing only the 2000 event. In 2002 he shared co-MVP honors with brother Dan. That year both men were literally unbeatable, both going 4-0-1 and leading the Fairway Finders to their third consecutive victory. Welcome back, Nick!

With the three commitments from the Vander Wal family, the current eight committed participants include:

Jim Baker
Chris Grek
Ken Terpstra
Doc John Mulder
Jim Warners
Dan Vander Wal
Kyle Vander Wal
Nick Vander Wal

2013 Tournament Invitations Announced

Byron Center, MI--Tournament Committee announced today invitations have been sent out for the 26th playing of the James E. Vos Memorial Invitational June 1-4, 2013 at Hawk's Eye Resort in Bellaire, Michigan.

Excitement is already building for the 2013 tournament and the tournament committee expects the sixteen slots will fill quickly. Early commitments have already been received from Jim Baker, who again receives this year's award for "first in," Chris Grek, and last year's MVP, Ken Terpstra.

The tournament committee will again strive to extend invitations to every past participant in the tournament's history as well as some tournament rookies. Receiving invitations this week are:

Mark Rice (tournament executive committee)
Jack Vos (tournament executive committee)
Jim Warners (tournament executive committee)
Thom Anema (tournament executive committee)

Sam Vos
Jon Vos
Jim Vos
Dick Anema
Rodger Rice
Jeff Tanis
Dave Tanis
Donovan VanZee
Dirk VanZee
Bob Warners
Ken Terpstra
Joel Neiwenhuis
Doug Gulker
Tony Vroon
Mark Vandenberge
Phil Vandenberge
Brian VanHall
Steve Elenbaas

Ben Elenbaas

Dan Vanderwal

Kyle Vanderwal

Chris Grek

John Mulder

John Topliff

Steve Spoelhof

Scott Spoelhof

John Spoelhof

Randy Ruiter

Keith Baker

Ken Klunder

Scott Alfree

Rick VanDyke

David Zylstra

Jeff Stuk

Jim Baker
Dewey Ducharme
Dan Rosema

Hawk's Eye Surprising Host to 2013 Tourney

Bellaire, MI--In a surprise move The James E. Vos Memorial Invitational tournament committee today announced it will stage the 2013 James E. Vos Memorial Invitational tournament at Hawk's Eye Golf Resort, just outside the town of Bellaire and in the shadow of Shanty Creek Resort.

Hawk's Eye is a completely new venue for the tournament, now in its 26th year. Opened in 2004, the course, built by Canadian-born architect John Robinson, has been ranked as high as the 12th best public course in Michigan. It is a beautiful, semi-private, championship golf course that is the centerpiece of the Hawk's Eye golf community which also features on-course lodging and dining. The course meanders along windswept hills and into tree-lined valleys. The views are spectacular along the course which stretches to 7,011 yards with a stout course rating of 74.6 and a 140 slope. The more gentler forward tees max out at 6,341 yards. Two Guys Who Golf, a popular golf blogsite for the "common man" calls Hawk's Eye one of the most beautiful courses in Northern Michigan.

http://michigan.twoguyswhogolf.com/reviews/hawkseye.html

While Hawk's Eye is new to the tournament its sister course, The Chief, is not....

The first and only time the tournament was played on The Chief came in 2001--one of the most memorable and unpleasant rounds in the tournament's history as part of a course rotation that included Cedar River, The Legend, and the worst weather conditions the tournament has ever seen. While the entire weekend save Thursday saw horrid weather the worst, by far, was the Saturday morning round at The Chief which began chilly and ended as a pouring rain-soaked, bone-chillingly cold slop fest. Most (including yours truly) walked off the course and swore they would never return to a course perceived on that rainy day as silly, contrived, and overly difficult. Some to this day have not returned to the tournament itself after that fateful day.

And yet, twelve years later, stories from that day are the stuff of legend, and the history of the James E. Vos tournament is not complete without them. Those who were there share deep bonds as survivors, battlers, and drowned rats. And some, not all, have, to this day always wondered if the course was as bad as perceived. Would the course show a softer, more pleasant side on a sunny 70-degree June day?

We will find out as The Chief will be part of the two course rotation in this year's 2014 James E. Vos Memorial Invitational. A preliminary course rotation has already been established. Plans call for all-day Sunday, June 2--the tournament's first day--on Hawk's Eye. Monday, which includes the afternoon scramble format, will be played all day on The Chief. Tuesday morning's singles matches return to Hawk's Eye.

The field has been opened to 16 golfers. Invitations will be extended in the next few days with participants expected to accept very quickly in April with a deposit of $100.

Hawk's Eye Website

2013 Tournament Dates and Possible Host Venues Announced

Byron Center, MI--The James E. Vos Memorial Invitational Committee today announced the dates for the 2013 tournament will continue last year's non-traditional Sunday through Tuesday schedule. The tournament will be held beginning Saturday evening, June 1 through Tuesday morning, June 4, 2013.

For years the tournament has stubbornly held to its Thursday-Saturday format. Even when schedules have forced the tournament out of its traditional early June dates, the committee has maintained its Thursday through Saturday format.

Why continue the change?

Tournament co-director, Mark Rice, explains. "We have long held to the Thursday-Saturday format. After two decades, our participants are familiar and comfortable with the format. Having said that, it has posed problems. Our participants have families so we try to end as early as possible on Saturday, allowing our players to return home and have a partial weekend with their families, but even with an early tee time Saturday morning, our tournament participants still don't arrive home until mid-afternoon Saturday at the earliest."

Rice continues. "A Sunday-Tuesday tournament requires the same amount of vacation days for our players and allows them to be home on a Friday night and most of Saturday before coming to the tournament. We also try to set the dates to accommodate the most players and, frankly, this year the traditional dates posed some conflicts with some of our players. We have several participants with either middle or high school graduations that conflicted with the traditional dates. We also surveyed past participants and most either didn't care or preferred a Sunday through Tuesday format.

The tournament committee also announced they are considering four venues for the 2013 tournament all but one of which are new to the rotation.

1. Forest Dunes Golf Club. Forest Dunes with open a new lodge in April 2013 and with the opening are offering several stay and play packages.
2. Manistee National Golf Club with a day at Arcadia Bluffs.
3. Crystal Mountain Golf Club and Resort. Nice lodging options and two decent courses.
4. Treetops. A perennial favorite. The last time the tournament was held at Treetops was 2005.

The tournament committee will explore package options with each club and make a decision in the next month.