Alan Z. Appelbaum is a successful bond market businessperson and a former history teacher with a passion for golf. He has competed at high amateur levels as a golfer for many years and was a 14-time Membership Champion. In 2015, he won gold as part of the Maccabiah golfing competition, which he fondly remembers for its positive impact on his life and culture.
Why Alan Z. Appelbaum Winning in 2015 Is Worth Celebrating
The Maccabiah Games is part of a lengthy movement to get Israel recognized for the Olympics after the country was reformed in 1948. Four men from Israel fought to get the country recognized and succeed in time for the 1952 games. However, they also created the Maccabiah Games as a way for Jewish people like Alan Appelbaum to compete in various events and competitions.
For instance, their golfing tournaments fall into multiple categories, including Grand Master, Junior Boys, Open Male, Female, and Master Female 50+. Appelbaum competed in the 50+ group as a team and took a commanding lead early in the 2015 games. He and his team stayed on top for the tournament and walked away with a meaningful gold medal that Appelbaum still treasures.
This success was just the biggest moment in his career as a golfer. Alan Appelbaum has golfed for his whole adult life and takes his competition very seriously. Over the years, he has fine-tuned his approach to become a more consistent and successful golfer. It has helped transform his life by keeping him in great shape and making it easier to interact with business partners, friends, and family members.
Just as importantly, Alan Z. Appelbaum was proud to win in the Maccabiah Games. For many Jewish athletes, success in these games is just as important as an Olympic win, if not more so. While the average person may not even be known these games exist, they’re an important part of the Jewish athletic world, and succeeding here gives many competitors the confidence they need to compete at a higher level.
For Alan Appelbaum, it was a vindication of a long golf career that has seen him succeed at high amateur levels. His 14 Membership Championships showed his obvious skill and ability and were among his proudest moments as a competitor. But winning a gold medal with his team alongside other Jewish competitors was an even bigger moment and one that he can’t help but discuss even now.
Even now, Alan Z. Appelbaum continually golfs to improve his game and constantly promotes the sport as one of the best options for older adults. It keeps him happy and healthy, gives him a chance to get some fresh air, and improves his overall mood. The gold medal at the Maccabiah Games is just the proudest moment in his career and one example of how positive sports and competition can be for many people’s lives.
