Full House

Byron Center, MI--The James E. Vos Memorial Invitational executive committee today announced the 30th anniversary tournament will be played at its full capacity of twenty-eight participants. What started with Jim Baker's registration--the day after invitations were sent--ending on Friday after John Topliff called in his registration and paid his deposit. Registrations are now officially closed. Twenty-eight participants ties the all time record, set in 2012 at the 25th anniversary tournament.

The 2017 tournament will once again feature its eclectic mix of well-loved regulars, old friends returning, our tall timbers, and newcomers.

The executive committee welcomes back several friends who have been absent: Ken Terpstra, Mark Vandenberge, Phil Vandenberge, John Topliff, Chris Grek, Dan Vander Wal, and John Anema. Ken has been a regular and friend of the tournament almost since it's inception. Other commitments caused him to miss the 2015 tournament. Ken wanted to play in the 2016 tournament but the tournament filled up faster than he expected and, unfortunately, he was left as first alternate. But he's back and the committee is thankful.

Terp

John Topliff also missed the 2016 tournament due to scheduling conflicts. John has been with the tournament for the last decade. His sweet spirit and smooth swing will be felt once again in 2017.

John Topliff

Mark and Phil Vandenberge has also been regulars for years. Unfortunately, the last decade has seen their attendance become a bit more sporadic. Mark last played in the 2015 tournament (The Homestead). Phil, one of the tournament's tall timbers, has not played since the 25th anniversary event, also held at Garland.

Many participants will be unfamiliar enough with John Anema to consider him a newcomer even though he is not. In fact, John is one of the tournament's earliest participants. John played in the 1989 tournament--it's second year! Alas, we have not seen him since. John is also the brother of tournament co-founder, Thom, and the son of tournament tall-timber, Uncle Dick. Welcome back John!

Dan and Chris have been regulars since their first appearances here, and their absence is felt the rare times they have missed. Both are previous tournament MVPs and both will again appear in 2017, hopefully beginning another long run of consistent tournament showings.

V-Dub

Grekster

Rookies have always been encouraged and welcomed to the tournament and this year is no different. Three rookies will join this year's matches, all part of a father-son combo, and all continuing the youth movement started about eight years ago when young Kyle Vander Wal first joined. The tournament committee warmly welcomes Tyler Vos (son of Jim), Max Vos (son of Jon), and Anthony Vroon (son of Tony).

And, finally, the tournament committee is thrilled it's "tall timbers" return once again. The 2017 tourney will feature no less than four tall timbers. These men are the ageless wonders, the backbone of the event, and its most cherished members. All over seventy years old, they return most every year, log all the miles, play 36 holes a day, battle through matches just like everyone else who is younger, and never once complain. They make us laugh, they make scratch our heads in amazement, they inspire us to enjoy the game for its most simplest and purest pleasures: friendship, fun, and the great outdoors. Welcome back Dave Tanis, Rodger Rice, Dick Anema, and Phil Vandenberge!!!!

Sadly, several friends and tournament "longtimers" are not able to attend this year. We will very much miss the presence of John Mulder and Don Van Zee. Both of these fine men have been tournament stalwarts and have rarely, if ever, missed a year since they started. They bring life, joy, laughter, and good competition every time they play. We will miss you both very much. And, specifically, we will miss Doc John's photo journal of the trip.

Doc John

Donvan "Dyno-mite" Van Zee

The 2017 James E. Vos Memorial Invitational welcomes the following participants:

Dick Anema
John Anema
Thom Anema
Jim Baker
Chris Grek
Steve Elenbaas
Mark Rice
Rodger Rice
Dan Rosema
J.D. Rosema
Dave Tanis
Jeff Tanis
Owen Tanis
Ken Terpstra
John Topliff
Mark Vandenberge
Phil Vandenberge
Dan Vander Wal
Jack Vos
Jim Vos
Jon Vos
Max Vos
Sam Vos
Tyler Vos
Tony Vroon
Anthony Vroon
Bob Warners
Jim Warners

Grand Garland: The Love Affair Continues. 30th Anniversary Tournament Host and Schedule Announced

Lewiston, MI--The James E. Vos Memorial Invitational tournament committee today announced the 30th playing of its annual event will be held June 7-10 at Garland Lodge and Resort. This is the eleventh time the resort has hosted the tournament--a record.

While not the site of the 1988 inaugural event, Garland played a role in the 1989 rotation when then Garland East (later split into Swampfire and Monarch) was visited by eight golfers on a very cold, rainy May day as part of a 36-hole day that included the then brand-new Michaywe Lakes golf course. Since then Garland has been in the event rotation ten more times--six consecutive (1992-1997) and more than any other northern Michigan golf resort--and remains the sentimental favorite site of many of the invitational's regular participants. The tournament was last held at Garland five years ago in 2012--its 25th anniversary year.

James E. Vos Memorial Tree

Garland and its four courses have created countless memories for the JEV Tourney. It was in 1996 on the Reflections course when tournament co-founder and namesake, James E. Vos, Sr. carded the first of only two aces ever recorded in the tournament's 29-year history on hole #16, a downhill par 3 of 175 yards. The jubilant cheers were heard throughout the property. A cherry tree, planted in James E. Vos' honor in 2012, now stands as a sentinel guarding the 16th green lest anyone try and replicate the amazing feat.

A record twenty-eight participants played in the 2012 25th anniversary event and many consider it one of the tournament's all-time best years, fitting that it was played at...Garland.

A preliminary course rotation has already been established for the 30th anniversary event. Plans call for the teams to face off Thursday morning, June 8 at 7:30am on the Swampfire course, followed by afternoon play on at 1:30pm on the behemoth Monarch course. Friday's (June 9) rotation includes Swampfire again in the morning (7:30am) followed by the traditional 2-man scramble round on Reflections (1:30pm). Saturday morning (June 10) finale singles matches will once again be played on Monarch (7:00am).

The tournament committee is anticipating another strong turn out for the 2017 event. The field has been opened to 28 golfers. Invitations will be extended in the coming weeks with participants expected to accept in February/March with a $100 deposit, payable to the resort. Watch this website and your email for future notification and instructions to reserve your spot.

2016 Final Trip Details

Gaylord, MI--Looking forward to the 29th annual James E. Vos Memorial Invitational. Here are some final trip details for this year's participants.

1. Package price is $387. Your $100 deposit should have already been accepted by the resort so your remaining balance would be $287.

2. Package includes three nights lodging in standard rooms (2 double beds) at the Inn at Treetops, five rounds of golf, taxes, and full use of the practice area.

In addition, I have secured the Alpine Room in the Inn for all three nights. The Alpine room seats about 20 people. It includes a table and chairs, several sofas, a mini-fridge, and a flatscreen TV. The Alpine room will be available to any of our group who wants to use it during our stay. We will meet there Wednesday night (see The Gathering, below) to meet everyone, hand out scorecards, and answer any questions. We will also have a pizza dinner catered in to that room either Thursday night or Friday night.

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 9
Morning - Jones Masterpiece
8:25am-9:22am - 2-man best ball (match play)

Afternoon - Smith Tradition*
3:00pm-3:50pm - 2-man scramble (stroke play)
*Note: the Smith Tradition is located at Treetops North, about 5 miles north of main resort and the Inn where we are staying.

Friday, June 10
Morning - Fazio Premier*
9:00am-9:50am - 2-man best ball (match play)

Afternoon - Fazio Premier*
3:00pm-3:50pm - 2-man best ball (stroke play)
*Note: Fazio Premier is located at Treetops North, about 5 miles north of the main resort.

Saturday, June 11
Morning - Jones Masterpiece
10:20am-11:17am - Singles (match play)

Let me just say these tee times are NOT ideal. Treetops will be very busy and these were the best times we could get on the courses we wanted. The good news is we do not have any early morning starts. The bad news is we will get finished playing golf very late on Thursday and Friday evening and on Saturday. For that reason we are catering in pizza to the Alpine room on one of the nights--either Thursday or Friday. The pizza will be there waiting for us when we get to the Alpine room.

4. Team Pairings, Matches, and Team Names

Teams and pairings have already been selected and sent to you. This is being done to save time and create efficiency. The reigning MVP (Thom Anema) selects his team's name (either Recovery Shots or Fairway Finders) at the Wednesday night Gathering. Scorecards for day one of the tournament will be handed on Wednesday night. Every evening, the next day's scorecards will be handed out.

Food is not included in the package this year. As I said, either Thursday or Friday night we'll have pizza catered in to the Alpine Room. The other nights we typically all end up at a local restaurant for supper in Gaylord. There are also several restaurants/bars on property, just a short walk from our hotel rooms, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

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

Wednesday is a non-tournament day. We have secured six tee times on Threetops par 3 course (located at Treetops North) from 3:00pm-3:50pm at a rate of $28 per player. Pay in the Treetops North pro shop. These are first come, first serve. Please try and fill up a foursome if you are going to play during this time period. I suspect most of the golfers on the trip will try to take advantage of playing Threetops.

Check-in is officially not until 5pm. However, I am told we are welcome to call the front desk at 989-732-6711 on the way up and if your rooms are clean and vacant, you are welcome to check in early.

The Gathering. If you are able, please plan to meet as a large group for a bit on Wednesday night in the Alpine room. 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 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. New cell number is 616-826-8232.

See you in a few days!

2016 Rooming List Announced

Gaylord, MI--The tournament committee today announced the rooming list for 29th annual James E. Vos Memorial Invitational. Participants in the 2016 tournament will be staying in standard 2-person guest rooms at the Inn at Treetops Resort. Note: there are two main lodging facilities on the resort's main property complex: the Inn and the Lodge. The Inn, where we are staying, is older of the two lodging complexes and is located closer to the restaurant. A link to the the property map is below.

Treetops Property Map

Herewith the rooms and participants assigned. The numbers assigned to each grouping are not actual room numbers. If you wish to switch room assignments from what is below, work that out directly with the resort staff.

Room 1
Mark Rice
Rodger Rice

Room 2
Thom Anema
Dick Anema

Room 3
Jack Vos
Sam Vos

Room 4
John Mulder
Ben Rosema

Room 5
Dan Rosema
J.D. Rosema

Room 6
Dave Tanis
Jack Tanis

Room 7
Owen Tanis
Dirk Tanis

Room 8
Donovan Van Zee, Jr.
Kellen VanDreumel

Room 9
Jon Vos
Jim Vos

Room 10
Jim Warners
Bob Warners

Room 11
Tony Vroon
Jeff Tanis

Room 12
Don Van Zee
Jim Baker

2016 James E. Vos Memorial Invitational Tournament Teams Announced

Gaylord, MI--The tournament executive committee today announced the teams for the 29th playing of the James E. Vos Memorial Invitational, now just a few weeks away. The executive committee made the decision to select the teams in advance to save time and create event efficiency in what will be a very busy weekend with tight schedules.

Like last year, and in what is becoming a kinder gentler version of The Hatfield's vs. McCoy's, families will face off against families. This year, the Rice's, Anema's, Tanis', and Van Zee's will tee it up against the Rosema's, Vos', and Warners. Both teams have additional "adopted sons" to round out them out and even the competition. In tallying up each participants handicap index, only two strokes separate the two teams. All that adds up to what should be another tightly contested tournament.

Herewith the teams for the 2016 James E. Vos Memorial Invitational.

Team A/Handicap (final team name tbd; see below)
Anema, Dick, +24 
Anema, Thom, +15 
Rice, Mark, +13 
Rice, Rodger, +19 
Tanis, Dave, +10
Tanis, Dirk, +10 
Tanis, Jack, +16 
Tanis, Jeff, +7 
Tanis, Owen, +16 
Van Zee, Don, +10 
Van Zee, Jr., Donovan +20 

Vandreumel, Kellen, +10 

Team B/Handicap (final name tbd; see below)
Baker, Jim, +12 
Mulder, John, +20 
Rosema, Ben, +19 
Rosema, Dan, +11 
Rosema, J.D., +17 
Vos, Jack, +14 
Vos, Jim, +12 
Vos, Jon, +11 
Vos, Sam, +5 
Vroon, Tony, +19 
Warners, Bob, +18 

Warners, Jim, +15 

Team names will be selected at the Wednesday evening Gathering event (approx. 9:30pm Saturday evening, details to follow in another post). It is a tournament tradition the reigning MVP retains the right to select his team's name between either the Fairway Finders or the Recovery Shots. We will wait to see what reigning MVP, Thom Anema, chooses.

To save time and create efficiency, the executive committee will also develop in advance the pairings for the entire tournament. Stay tuned for further details.

Trending Down Again: 2016 Handicaps and Tees Assignments Announced

Gaylord MI--Continuing last year's downward trend in handicaps, almost every player's handicap went down for the second year in a row. Clearly, the courses in last year's Homestead rotation agreed with the players.

Leading the charge with the greatest year-over-year differentials were Jim Baker, Dick Anema, Owen Tanis, and Dirk Tanis.

Jim Baker played spectacular golf and blistered the field and his 2015 handicap, going 89-88-88-84 for an 87 average, lowering his handicap index a full -9 strokes from +21 to +12! The tournament archivists are checking the history books, but feel fairly certain that is an all time record. Congratulations Jim Baker!

Close on his heels were two young bucks and the tallest timber of the tournament, Richard Anema.

The drop in Dick's handicap may have been bolstered by the fact that his handicap index entering the 2015 tournament was based his 2012 scores. The 2012 tournament was held at Garland Resort. The Garland tracks were tough on everyone. Nonetheless, Dick played superb golf in 2015, lowering his scoring average from 110 (2012) to 102, and dropping his index a full seven strokes from +31 to +24.

The Tanis' always seem to make headlines. Last year it was Jeff and Dave sending their 2015 handicap indexes downward significantly. This year, it's young guns, Owen and Dirk.

Both lowered their handicap indexes impressively (-7). Dirk from +17 to +10; Owen from +23 to +16. Taking nothing away from Dirk, but Owen gets special mention for not only playing great golf, but also for being his 2015 team's points leader. Owen was a rock in 2015 winning or halving every match he played, amassing an individual 2015 record of 4 1/2 - 1/2. If Owen's team had held on to win the 2015 tournament, he would have made a strong case for MVP. Sadly for him, they did not.

Tournament co-founder, Mark Rice, continued his index schizophrenia. His fellow teammates always wonder which Mark is going to show up.

The last three years his index has ping-ponged +12 to +18 to +13 entering the 2016 tournament. Just call him, Sybil. Perfect. That sets him up another year of high scores. I'm sure his teammates can't wait!

All this sets up for a terrific 2016 tournament. Indexes are below and tee assignments are below. Tees assignment indicate tee played in the tournament to achieve the current handicap index. Rookie handicaps are estimated.

Name, Tee, Index
Dick Anema, Gold, +24
Thom Anema, Blue, +15
Jim Baker, White, +12
John Mulder, White, +20
Mark Rice, Blue, +13
Rodg Rice, Gold, +19
Ben Rosema (R), Blue, +19
Dan Rosema, Blue, +11
J.D. Rosema, Blue, +17
Dave Tanis, White, +10
Dirk Tanis, Gold, +10
Jack Tanis, White, +16
Jeff Tanis, White, +7
Owen Tanis, White, +16
Kellen Van Dreumell (R), Blue, +10
Don Van Zee, White, +10
Donovan Van Zee, Jr., +20
Jack Vos, White, +14
Jim Vos, Blue, +12
Jon Vos, Blue, +11
Sam Vos, Blue, +5
Tony Vroon, White, +19
Bob Warners, White, +18
Jim Warners, White, +15

Full House

Byron Center, MI--The James E. Vos Sr. Memorial Invitational executive committee officially announced today the 2016 tournament is full. Twenty-four participants will play in this year's tournament, being held for the fourth time in its twenty-nine year history at Treetops Resort, on June 8-11.

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