Getting To Know: Doug Hanzel

It was an incredible year on the course in 2025 and for seven players it culminated with a GSGA Player of the Year honor.

Doug Hanzel of Savannah added to his long list of GSGA Player of the Year honors capturing his fourth-straight GSGA Super Senior Men's Player of the Year:

• Georgia Senior Match Play Champion
• T4 at Georgia Senior Championship
• Participated in U.S. Senior Amateur
• Georgia Senior Four-Ball Champion

We caught up with Doug, who has won 10 GSGA Player of the Year honors, to get his thoughts on his 2025 campaign and learn more about him on and off the course!

What did earning your GSGA Player of the Year honor mean to you?
HANZEL: "Winning the Super Senor Player of the Year means the work I do continuously to maintain and get better paid off, especially the physical fitness I have started doing to prevent injuries."

What was your favorite golf memory from 2025? And why?
H: "My favorite memory of 2025 is two-fold. The first was shooting 65 the last round of the Society of Seniors Spring Classic to win by one. The other was making a 12-footer on the last hole to win the Georgia Senior Match Play. Both were really special and to do this reinforces why I play, to get in position and then make shots."

What are your early goals for 2026 you hope to accomplish?
H: "For 2026, I would like to stay competitive and hopefully defend my match play win and double up with senior am. And of course, continue our run in the senior four-ball."

How many holes-in-one do you have: "I recently made my 5th hole-in-one."

Lowest round you’ve shot in a competition and in what event: "The two lowest rounds were the one above and I did shoot 65 in the Georgia Senior Open in 2022."

Favorite food/meal: "Barbecue ribs with a beer. Lite, of course, given my diabetes."

Favorite movie: "Of course Caddyshack. Growing up caddying, I could really relate to the caddies and even some of the member characters."

Favorite golf course you’ve ever played: "Pine Valley. 18 great golf holes and a great walk. No houses. Just pure golf." 

Course you want to play one day: "One day I would like to play Cypress Point."

Hobbies outside of golf: "Bowling and working around the house."

Favorite musician/band: "Average White Band. I was introduced to their music in college and the ballads are so relatable."

Favorite sports team: "Any of them in Cleveland. The roots of growing up there run deep."