Written By: Greg Johnson
PLYMOUTH – Steve Maddalena’s super summer continued, this time with a win in the 12th GAM Super Senior Championship Wednesday at Fox Hills Golf & Banquet Center.
“It’s been good,” he said. “I’ve been playing a little better, putting a lot better, which has made a huge difference,” the Jackson golfer said after shooting a final even-par 72 on the Golden Fox course for a tournament total 1-over 145.
“I got a putting tip from Mike Raymond (2022 Super Senior Champion) because I wasn’t putting very well, and I kind of turned a corner with it down in Georgia and I’ve been playing solid since then.”
The 66-year-old Michigan Golf Hall of Fame member won the recent Golfweek U.S. Super Senior National Championship at The Golf Club of Georgia and finished second in the Super Senior Division of the Michigan Senior Open last week.
“Mike took a video and I was closing down the face of the putter,” he said. “I was playing in best-ball events with him, and he got tired of me not helping. He said, ‘let’s fix this.’ We did, and it’s fun making putts again. I made all the putts I needed to make today.”
Edwin Fisher of Fort Wayne finished second by two shots after a 73 for 147, and Charles Pattan of Grand Blanc was third after a 75 for 148.
Rick Herpich of Orchard Lake, the 2020 Super Senior champion who shot 75 for 149, and Kerry Buettner of Grandville, who shot 76 for 149, rounded out the top five.
A Legends Division (ages 70-plus) champion was also crowned, and a trophy was awarded to the low golfer over age 75.
Mike Fedewa of Canton shot a closing 75 for 151 to win the Legends title by three shots over Tom Eberhard of Seabrook Island, who shot a closing 79.
Mark Ochsankehl of Caledonia, who shot 78 for 155, Pete Saputo of Bloomfield Hills, who shot 77 for 156, and Fritz Reifert of Ypsilanti, who shot 80 for 157, rounded out the top five.
Winning the trophy among the over-75 set was Ron Perrine of Holt, who shot a 75 for 155.
Maddalena was one shot off the lead to start the final round and traded the lead with Fisher until late in the round. A birdie at 18 capped the win.
“It’s always fun to win and get the trophy,” Maddalena said. “It’s been fun the last few weeks making putts. You don’t feel like you have a chance when you are missing putts you should make.”
Fedewa, 76, was in a tight battle with Eberhard most of the final round. He said birdies at Nos. 1 and 2 starting his second nine of the round gave him momentum.
“I gained a few shots there, gave back a few, but came in solid at the finish,” he said.
Fedewa retired this year from working on the golf maintenance crew at Pheasant Run Golf Club and feels like it has helped his game.
“I thought winning was over for me, but I’m playing more this summer, three times a week usually and it has made a difference,” he said. “Not working early mornings on a physical job has helped my back, too. I feel good and my game’s starting to come back some.”
