By Greg Johnson
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’m more 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.
