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Stricker is still a hero in Edgerton

MILTON — Edgerton’s hometown hero made a return Wednesday night, except he didn’t act anything like that.

Steve Stricker was among the three-member class that was inducted into the Edgerton Hall of Fame. But fellow inductees Bob Sweeney, the star player on Edgerton High’s last state tournament basketball team, and Michelle Ebert Tyler, an Edgerton High and Marquette University track and field standout, did not have the clout to change the induction rules.

“It used to be you had to be at least 30 years (old) and finished with your career,” Dale Pope, the head of the hall of fame committee, told the packed house at the Buckhorn Supper Club. “We amended the rule this year to allow those who are 40 years and still playing in their career professionally.

“It is now known as the ‘Steve Stricker rule.’”

While all three inductees received much attention from those attending the ceremony, Stricker was the most photographed. The 42-year-old signed autographs for youngsters and some older fans and accepted numerous handshakes and back slaps.

And he knew most everyone’s name who came up to him.

“I miss being here,” he said, in between the dinner and actual induction ceremony. “I miss the friends I made here over the years. Not just the people my age, but adults. When you grow up in a town of 4,000 people, you get to know a lot of people.”

Those Edgerton folks were loyal to him before he was among the elite group of golfers from throughout the world who play well enough to make a living at it.

“They raised money for me when I played in the national junior events,” Stricker said. “They passed the can around town. They raised some money for me that way one year. They always have been very supportive.”

While Stricker, his wife, Nicki, and their two daughters, now reside in Madison, Steve does get into Edgerton at various times. His parents, Bob and Carolyn, still live just down the street from the Towne Country Club, where Steve first learned how to play.

Still, he does not get to spend as much time as he would like back in his old hometown.

“I’ve lost contact with a lot of my high-school buddies, which is disappointing,” he said. “I’m on the road all the time, so it’s just hard to keep up. That’s the part I missed the most, not seeing my high-school friends.”

He does attend his alma mater’s sporting events whenever he can, including the Edgerton High baseball game at McFarland on Tuesday .

Stricker, despite his $1.9 million in PGA Tour earnings this season and No. 13 status in the world rankings, still enjoys mingling with his original fans. His reputation as one of the nicest guys on the PGA Tour is deserved.

“You learn a lot coming from a small town,” Stricker said. “Very friendly people. I’ve always been taught to be very friendly and courteous. I guess I’m just a small-town player.”

You can take Steve Stricker out of the small town, but you can’t take the small-town out of Steve Stricker.

That was evident Wednesday night.