Written By: Greg Johnson
BLOOMFIELD HILLS – The Standish name has been affiliated with the Golf Association of Michigan (GAM) since it’s very beginning on May 7, 1919, and one day shy of 107 years later on May 6, 2026, GAM President Emeritus John Standish was honored for his 50 years of service at the GAM Annual Meeting.
Standish, 91, is the son of James D. Standish Jr., an original member of the GAM, president of association for 10 years and president of the United States Golf Association (USGA) in 1950 and ’51, not to mention a three-time Michigan Amateur Champion and North and South Amateur Champion.
John, whose older brother James III was the GAM’s first Executive Director, followed the family’s dedication to golf in Michigan and the GAM. He served as president of the GAM in 1993 and ’94, and for the last 50 years has helped continue what his father helped start, the Evans Scholarship program with the Western Golf Association legend Chick Evans.
He witnessed once again the GAM’s presentation of the annual James D. Standish Jr. Awards to the outstanding Evans Scholars from Michigan State University and the University of Michigan. He met and congratulated this year’s winners, Harrison Bullotta, UM, Olin Alonzi, MSU, who received their awards at the GAM Annual Meeting.
“It’s wonderful to be here and meet these great young people and so wonderful to see the GAM is doing well,” he said. “The GAM has always meant so much to Michigan golf and it has been an honor for our family to be involved.”
Standish, the Standish Award winners, and several other guests were honored at the Annual Meeting, which this year was held in the new clubhouse at historic Oakland Hills Country Club. Committee reports and future strategies, the GAM Foundation and Youth on Course, and the GAM growing past the unprecedented mark of 107,000 members, as well as a USGA Regional Affairs report from Jake Miller of the USGA were significant parts of the meeting.
Also significant, Robert Ofoli of East Lansing, the late Dave Price of Muskegon and Harrison Stackpole of Macomb were named Honored Governors, which highlights their dedicated service to the GAM.
New governors were welcomed to the current Board of Governors, too. Tom Morrow, Mark Erickson and Andrew Frith were introduced.
Richard Aginian, an Oakland Hills member, presided over the annual meeting as his final function as the 2025 President of the GAM.
He introduced the new president and officers, which included Dan Longeway as president, Barry Babbitt as first vice-president, Darrell Zavitz as second vice-president, John Holden as third vice-president, Deb Wolfe as secretary and Tom Roehl as treasurer.
The 2025 award winners in various categories previously announced were also honored.
A management team from Carl’s Golfland accepted the Distinguished Service Award on behalf of the late Carl E. Rose.
Judy Mason of Michaywe’ Pines Golf Course was on hand to accept her Club Services Representative of the Year Award.
PGA Hope Michigan, represented by the Michigan PGA’s Madison Maurier, received the GAM Champion of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award.
Hogan David, Mitchell England and Logan Snyder were introduced as Ferris State University Professional Golf Management/Course to Success scholarship award winners from the GAM Foundation.
Brian VanGeest was introduced as the GAM Course Rater of the Year, and Brian Schweihofer of Franklin Hills Country Club received his GAM Superintendent Award of Merit honor.
Also honored were the GAM Players of the Year, Men’s POY Caleb Bond, Women’s POY Elayna Bowser, Senior Men’s POY Mike Anderson, Super Senior Men’s POY Greg Zeller, Senior Women’s POY Lori Schlicher, Junior Boys’ POY JP Levan, Junior Girls’ POY Alena Li, 15-and-Under Boys’ POY Tommy Preston and 15-and-Under Girls’ POY Hannah Kim. Zeller and Li were on hand to receive their award plaques.
“Last week, the GAM was honored to host its Annual Meeting at the beautiful new clubhouse at Oakland Hills Country Club,” GAM Executive Director Chris Whitten said. “Thank you Oakland Hills, our GAM family and volunteers for a wonderful day and congratulations again to our award winners.”
