Anderson Is 2025 GAM Senior Player Of The Year

GAM PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Mike Anderson of Novi Tops 2025 Senior Men’s Points List

FARMINGTON HILLS – Mike Anderson of Novi wondered why, without a victory during the season, he was invited to the season-ending GAM Tournament of Champions, and promptly asked Ken Hartmann, senior director of competitions and USGA services for the GAM.

Hartmann told him it was because he was leading the GAM Senior Men’s Points List for the season. Anderson, who turned 56 in September, then took advantage of the opportunity and won the final tournament of the year.

That win, coupled with the points he earned for reaching the quarterfinal round in the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship earlier in the summer and top finishes in other tournaments, resulted in him being named the 2025 GAM Senior Men’s Player of the Year.

Player of the Year point totals can be found on a pull down from the PLAY tab at GAM.org. Carl’s Golfland is the presenting sponsor of the points lists.

In recent days, the GAM announced Elayna Bowser of Dearborn as the Women’s Player of the Year, Caleb Bond of Williamston as the Men’s Player of the Year and Lori Schlicher of Lewiston as the Senior Women’s Player of the Year. In the next few weeks, the GAM will announce more Players of the Year in gender and age categories.

“I didn’t realize that the USGA national championships had such an impact on the points, but I’m obviously thrilled it was recognized,” Anderson said. “A lot of great players have been player of the year and to be mentioned and included in that group is a great honor.”

Anderson, the managing director of investments at Stifel Financial, said the honor is a great ending to his first full year as a senior golfer.

“I would say as a first-year senior I was more attentive to competition than I have been in recent years,” he said. “Being a senior afforded be so many more opportunities to play in events, too, and at great venues, and I tried to play in at least one a month.”

Anderson said his play in the U.S. Senior Amateur at Oak Hills Country Club in San Antonio, Texas, was his best week of the summer. He won matches in the rounds of 64, 32 and 16 before falling 1-up to the eventual champion, Michael McCoy of Des Moines, Iowa.

“That was the best I’ve played in a while, it was a good week,” he said. “I was playing well going in. The course suited my game well. I played against some great players and was fortunate to beat them before I lost to the eventual winner, who is just an incredible player, a former Walker Cup guy, an elite senior. It was a great, new experience.”

He said it gives him confidence and validation that he can compete at the top levels of senior amateur golf.

“I feel like I have five, maybe even 10 years ahead of me where if I work hard, do the right things, learn more each time that I play, then I can continue to play well here in Michigan but also nationally,” he said.

He said a trainer visit early in the golf season gave him a flexibility and stretching routine that he continues to use.

“I think it has helped me physically and even psychologically,” he said. “I feel like ball-striking has always been a strength of mine and doing this flexibility and stretching has helped with that. I haven’t lost anything in that category.”

Anderson earned 585 points to top the GAM Player of the Year Points List.

Greg Davies of West Bloomfield, the GAM Senior Match Play Champion, was second with 423.

Mike Ignasiak of Saline with 330 points, and Chris Bailey of Rochester and GAM Senior Champion Rick Crandall of Fenton, who tied with 265 points, rounded out the top five.

Hartmann said Anderson is a great person and golfer.

“I wouldn’t be surprised to see him win this honor a few more times,” he said. “He competes regularly with the younger players. His iron play is so consistent. He hits it close. When he is on, a shot outside of 10-feet is a bad shot for him. He could be a dominant senior player, and he is a great competitor.”