In the depths of winter 1993 Michael "Mel-Void" Moore & Tim Wern decided it was time for a road trip. A golf road trip sounded even better, so the "Void Invitational" was born. Moore came up with the idea that we all play for a green polyester blazer reminiscent of the always tacky blazers of Augusta National. Of course, Moore bought a 44 Long green blazer, his size. He figured he would win anyway, so it might as well fit. For $9 at the Salvation Army store in Saugus, Massachusetts, he couldn't go wrong.
A Tradition Begins in (where else?) Vegas
In March, 1993 the players met in sunny Las Vegas to tee it up. Spending all night in the casinos didn't do much for the golf games, but the tournament would end in dramatic fashion. The tournament spanned 4 rounds in the desert. With a three stroke lead with two holes to play in the final round, Josh Lesnick seemed destined to make history as the first winner of the Green Jacket. However, John Webster & Kevin Smith had other plans. With Web popping up from behind every other bunker shouting "Whoooaaaaaa!" and wielding a camcorder, Lesnick became slightly unnerved. Meanwhile steady-eddie K.Smith parred out for a one-stroke victory over the horrified Lesnick. With the Cincinnati Reds cap in place, Smitty donned the Green Jacket for the first and final time. It would be nine, long years before Lesnick could redeem that devastating loss with a series of other near-misses in between.
Round
Two in Sagamore
In August, 1993,
Mike Moore became the 2nd winner of the Green Jacket at the
historic Donald Ross designed Sagamore Golf Club. In the early
years the tournament was held twice and sometimes three times
per year. However with the reality of family life, the tourney
is held annually at present.
Founders
Wern & Moore
Who
Runs This Show Anyway?
The original chairmen, Moore & Wern have organized the tournament from the beginning. In this benevolent dictatorship, they choose the venues as well as the formats for the tournament. The Green Jacket has historically been awarded to the best golfer (low gross). However, the 2002 Michigan tournament was a watershed year in that the coat was awarded to the best net golfer. The addition of handicaps has enhanced the competitive nature that the founders had pursued. Back in 1993, all of the players had roughly the same game. Today, there are a variety of skill levels so the handicapping change made sense. Everyone agreed that the Michigan tournament was the most competitive in a long time.
Here is Chariman Moore in Banff Springs,Canada with the Ceremonial 1st Tee Off....
Murdock,
Original Champ Smith & Moore
Enter
the Two-Man
Also, the addition of the Two-Man Team Championship in Michigan added another level of competition to the event. Amid mild controversy, Ron Drinkhouse & Matt McLaughlin captured the highly coveted silver cup in a tight finish.
So Ya Wanna Play?
This event continues to be by invitation
only. To win the Green Jacket you must first be invited to
and play in a "qualifying" tournament to make sure we like
you enough to bring you back. Then you are eligible to win
it in your next tournament. This is called the Kendall
rule. The Jacket has traveled many miles and has the patches
to prove it. Are you up to the challenge?
