Aquinas College

Inducted in 2006, graduated from Grand Rapids’ Catholic Central High School and came to Aquinas on a four-year golf
scholarship. He finished in 1962 with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, but not before he and his golf teammates left
their marks in athletics. During Al’s four years at Aquinas, the golf team lost only five matches, earning them the
nickname Yankees of the North” by the Grand Rapids Press for the teams outstanding achievements. Individually, Al
was a four-year started and was captain for two years. In 1960, his team went undefeated and in the second year, they
lost only one match. He joined the local amateur ranks following college and has managed to capture eight local major
tournament wins, placing him second on the list of all-time victories among local players. His wins include three Grand
Rapids City titles, two Kent County Amateurs, two West Michigan Amateurs and one City Match Play championship. In
addition to playing the game, Al has enjoyed the game from the administrative side, as well. He’s been the president of
the West Michigan Golf Association for 25 years. In 2000, he retired from his job as a senior claims specialist for State
Farm Insurance, a position he held for 37 years. It was about the time the Al also made the switch to senior level play
where, as he points out, he can now compete for the “fun of it.” He lives with his wife, Patricia, in Belmont (Mich.). They
have a daughter, Mary, and one granddaughter, Penny.