Michigan Golf Journal December 2020

SR Players of the Year Sr. Women’s Player of the Year: Julie Massa JulieMassa of Holt, 57, is the GAM’s Senior Women’s Player of the Year. It is an unprecedented 6 th consecutive year that the Forest Akers Golf Course member has been named for the award. “I feel so honored to be Player of the Year in a year where we were also so happy just to be able to play,” she said. “I think it happens because I just enjoy the game and the competition. I enjoy trying to make myself better, learn more each year and in the end just have fun at it.” Massa wasn’t able to play her usual national schedule because several USGA tournaments were cancelled, but she still earned 368 points playing in GAM tournaments. Powering her point total was her win in the GAM Senior Women’s Championship, and a second in the GAM Senior Tournament of Champions. MGJ GAM SR. PLAYERS OF THE YEAR By Greg Johnson Senior Player of the Year: Steve Maddalena Jackson’s Steve Maddalena has taken his game to the national stage in recent years, but still manages to star at home at age 60, too. “Honestly, I’m playing better now than I have in a long time,” the Country Club of Jackson member said. “I’mmore comfortable with my game and playing against national players has helped. “It was one of my goals this year – to try and repeat as Senior Player of the Year – and I was fortunate to do that,” said Maddalena, who was elected to the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame in 2007. “The competition is great, and it doesn’t get easier. Every year a new group of guys turn 55 and make it even more competitive.” His 393 GAM Player of the Year points were built primarily by winning the Michigan Senior Open in a sudden-death playoff with fellow Hall of Fame member and professional Jeff Roth of Boyne Golf Academy. Rick Herpich, age 68 of Orchard Lake, earned Super Senior Player of the Year. A highlight win came in the GAM Super Senior Championship where he shot 66, bettering his age of then 67.