Battle Creek, MI – Michigan Golf Hall of Fame member and amateur from Jackson ,MI Steve Maddalena picked up his first Club Car Senior Open Title in dramatic fashion on Wednesday at Bedford Valley Golf Club.
Heading into the final round of this two day championship Steve found himself 3 shots off the lead held by Steve Wakulsky, PGA Professional from Owosso Country Club ,who shot the low round of the tournament with a 66 on Tuesday.
Steve knew he needed a fast start and that is just what he did going out with a (-4) under par 32 on the front nine with birdies on #2, #5,#6,#7 and #9. Steve held steady the back nine after a bogey on #10 to finish the day at (-4) , 68 and a 137 (-7) for the tournament.
This was not good enough however to win the tournament outright as Jeff Roth, PGA Professional from the BOYNE Golf Academy finished the round with a 67 that included a 32 on the back to put him at 137 (-7) for the tournament as well.
It only took one playoff hole as Steve hit is approach to about 8 feet which clinched the victory after Jeff was unable to get up and down for par.
Steve adds this Senior Open Championship to his already impressive resume that includes 3 Michigan Amateurs, a GAM Championship and GAM Senior Match Play.
It was an exciting finish in the 65 and older super senior division as Don Simmons, amateur from Northville, MI picked up his first Michigan PGA Section Tournament win with a one-shot victory over PGA Professional Jack Seltzer from the Seltzer Golf School and amateurs Dennis Smoker from Coldwater, MI and Ray Emsley from Davisburg, MI.
For complete scores please click HERE
A field of 111 decorated golfers, including PGA Professionals, top amateurs, eleven Michigan Golf Hall of Fame members and fourteen past champions, participated this year in this Club Car Senior Open at Bedford Valley Golf Club.
Bedford Valley Golf Club is part of the Gull Lake View collection of six courses near Battle Creek and Kalamazoo including the new Stoatin Brae course. Bedford Valley was a 2008-2009 Best Places to Play selection by Golf Digest and in 2010 was named the Michigan Golf Course of the Year by the Michigan Golf Course Owners Association.
It was designed in 1965 by William Mitchell and purchased by the Scott Family of Gull Lake View in 1988. The classic parkland design is known locally as “The Big Course” and features big greens, bunkers and fairways lined with large oak trees.
Bedford Valley has hosted several of the state’s top tournaments including the Michigan Open, multiple Michigan Senior Opens, the Michigan Maxfli PGA Junior, the Michigan Publinx State Match Play and the NCAA Division III National Championship.