Local caddie celebrates first big win with Gene Sauers by Amber Narro
To the victors go the spoils . Derek stands with Gene after their recent U . S . Senior Open win .
36
Derek Sanders is having the time of his life . While leaving his young daughters home for several days and even a couple of weeks at a time is difficult , he says this job definitely has its perks .
And wife Shanna says she doesn ’ t mind at all . “ The girls and I have a routine , and we have to adjust when he comes home ,” she jokes . All kidding aside , while they miss their dad , they are certainly proud of his latest accomplishment .
They love the stories he brings home ... especially the one about his recent , and first , win on Gene Sauers bag – the U . S . Senior Open .
“ It was really cool ,” Derek said . “ They put us up in a nice hotel , and we didn ’ t get there until late Sunday night . We were starving , and nothing was open . We ended up celebrating the win with a bottle of champagne and a burger and fries .”
When Derek returned home to Louisiana , the real celebration began . He and Shanna went to dinner with friends , and he ’ s been smiling ever since .
“ The money is definitely a nice reward for hard work ,” he says . “ But the win felt
awesome . Gene was so excited , and his phone was blowing up with congratulations .”
Derek ’ s phone wasn ’ t exactly quiet either . He ’ s been caddying for Gene for three years , and his friends and family are well aware of his job . They weren ’ t too busy to let him know how happy they were for him .
Derek has been a member of the PGA of America for 16 years and has enjoyed membership in the Gulf States Section for the duration of that stretch . No slouch himself , he has won several Section tournaments , but he says those days don ’ t compare with his recent victory .
“ Standing with Gene at the end of the U . S . Senior Open was the greatest golf day of my life ,” he said . I dropped the flagstick on the green and gave him a huge hug . It was the greatest birthday present ever .” Oh yeah , they won on Derek ’ s birthday . The preparation leading up to the tournament was pretty routine , but there was a definite plan . Derek said he told Gene to find a way to hit fairways and play in the middle of every green unless they had less than 125 yards to get there .
The game plan seemed to work well . A 68 in the first round , followed up with a 69 in the second set the pair up well after the cut .
“ We had a tough day and got away from the plan on the third day ,” Derek