Randy Lewis is Golf Association of Michigan Senior Men’s Player of the Year

Randy Lewis of Alma has been named Golf Association of Michigan’s Men’s Senior Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.

Lewis, the 2011 U.S. Mid-Amateur champion and a two-time Michigan Amateur champion finished first on the GAM Honor Roll for senior men with 559 points. Many of those came from his appearance in the semifinals of the US Senior Amateur.

Lewis, 58, said he plans to continue playing at a high level in GAM and USGA tournaments.

“I realize my window as a competitor is shrinking, but I still really enjoy the competition, it gets my attention level way up, and I would like to be involved at that level for the next three or four years,” he said. “It’s been tough physically ever since I became a senior golfer.  It was my back last year. This year it was tendonitis. I’m going to try and get in better shape and stay away from injuries next summer.”

Ian Harris of Bloomfield Hills and TPC of Michigan was second with 373 points, and Bill Zylstra of Dearborn Heights and the Michigan Publinx Golf Association was third with 330.

Rick Herpich of Orchard Lake and Orchard Lake Country Club (270 points) and Mike Tungate of East Lansing and The Medalist Golf Club in Marshall (210) rounded out the top five.

Lewis, a three-time Men’s Player of the Year, said he will likely play against the younger set in at least one more Michigan Amateur Championship, primarily because it will be played close to home at Eagle Eye Golf Club in East Lansing in 2015. He also has one more exemption year in the U.S. Senior Am and is exempt to 2021 in the U.S. Mid-Am as a past champion.

About the GAM: Founded in 1919, the Golf Association of Michigan is the governing body for amateur golf in the state. As a not-for-profit organization, the GAM’s purpose is to promote, preserve and serve the game of golf. The GAM, served by over 250 dedicated volunteers as well as nine full-time staff, provides membership to more than 55,000 golfers and more than 470 Michigan golf courses, conducts over 30 amateur championships, oversees 15 USGA qualifying events, administers the GAM/USGA Handicap System and measures and rates almost 70 courses a year for the USGA. Learn more at www.gam.org.

via Greg Johnson/GAM