Cape Region loses a real gem
August 12, 2011
Tom Derrick was not the finest golfer I have ever met, but he certainly was among the finest gentlemen I have known.
The long-time CEO of the Cape Region’s Sea Shell Shops succumbed after a long fight with serious illness August 6, in the presence of his loving wife Patty and their family.
Derrick was a man of enthusiasms. Besides his family, he loved anything made by Apple Computer, travel, golf, skiing, and his business.
One of my favorite golf stories, told here many years ago, involved Tom and a rare display of temper while out on the course. Even then, he expressed himself in his own special way.
Tom was playing a round at Kings Creek Country Club with Nick DelCampo, Kevin Conlon, and me. By the time we reached what was then the 331-yard 15th hole, Tom had not had a good day.
He teed up and swung. The ball popped up and traveled about a yard.
He swung again, and the ball disappeared into the wetlands that created a forced carry of about 170 yards to the fairway.
After another full swing from the tee, the new ball rolled slowly down to the edge of the wetlands.
Tom calmly walked down and picked up the ball. He reared back and threw it over the wetlands, like a right fielder trying to throw a runner out at home.
The ball didn’t make it all the way across, and dropped out of sight among the phragmites.
Tom walked back to his golf cart and sat down. He didn’t yell, curse, or, in fact, say anything.
We all understood perfectly.
Tom was a genuine nice guy, and he will be missed by his many friends and admirers.
Local Club Tournament Results
Carol Ellison won first place in the Kings Creek Country Club Ladies’ 9-hole event August 4. Evelyn Vanderloo took second, while Sally Horvath finished in third place.
Vanderloo also won closest to the pin honors, with an approach that ended up only 3 feet 5 inches from the hole.
On August 8, the Kings Creek Ladies held a Criers Tournament, and Ana Dittel won first place in the first flight. Bernie Reed came in second, while Karen Harrington took third in the flight.
Dittel also won closest to the pin, on the fifth hole.
In the second flight, Mardee Corbitt won first place honors, followed by Gail Petren and then Betsy Alwood.
Shawnee Country Club held its annual Presidents Cup tournament August 6-7. Brett Warren won low gross with a seven-over par total for the two rounds, with Charlie Gouert finishing one stroke back.
In the net category, Bob Owens and Dave Pyne finished in a tie for first with their four-under totals. Owens finally beat Pyne in a four-hole playoff to take first place overall. Matt Thompson finished one stroke out of the playoff.
Shawnee also hosted the Delmarva Peninsula Golf Association Junior Tournament August 9. Matt Sticher shot an even-par 70 to win the first flight (16+), with Connor Gebhart coming in second, four strokes back.
Jack Chasen won the second flight (14 and 15 year-olds) with his 89, with Alex Bennington and Matt Ruggiere tied for second only one stroke back.
In the third flight (12 and 13), Ayden Whitehead won with an 80, followed by Joey Cooper. Kyle Jarrett won the nine-hole fourth flight (10 and 11) with a nice 43 on the front nine, with Brian Bowers in second.
Chloe Sass won the girls 10 and 11 year-old category.