By Dalton Balthaser
WARWICK – As the final round of the 63rd Rhode Island Senior Amateur was in session, there was one question consistently being asked by fellow players and observers.
“Who is Derek Johnson?”
Wednesday at Warwick Country Club, Johnson let his game do the talking.
Amplified by a gritty attitude, a resilient demeanor and an automatic putter, Johnson claimed the #RISrAm after a two-day total of 141 at Warwick (par 69, 6,183 yards).
He carded a final-round of 70 to secure a two-shot victory over two-time champion and Day One leader Dr. George Pirie of Valley Country Club.
“It feels great to win this tournament,” said Johnson. “To be able to play well yesterday and to back it up when the pressure is on is a great feeling. I have been playing well recently so it is nice to be able to keep it going.”
Johnson won both the Men’s Club Championship and the Senior Club Championship at Ledgemont Country Club this summer. He’s won the Senior Club Championship each of the five years he has been a member at Ledgemont.
Rain played a part in the final round. With Hurricane Ida moving up the East Coast, the prospects to finish the 36-hole tournament were bleak. For the final group, they played the front nine in steady rain, then Mother Nature eased up for the back nine.
“I was hoping we could get at least nine holes in today to make it a 27-hole event,” said Johnson. “I wanted to shoot a good number and see what happened. I don’t mind playing in rain. Having a good attitude in bad weather is an advantage. I wanted to make a lot of pars and keep myself in it.”
Johnson seized the solo lead with a birdie on No. 6 (par 4, 325 yards). He rolled in a 25-footer to get to 1 under on his round.
He would immediately give it back and then some with a double bogey on No. 7 (par 3, 182 yards).
But the following two holes was where he showed his resiliency. He stuffed a sand wedge from 94 yards to 2 feet on No. 8 (par 4, 372 yards) for birdie.
He then hit a 6-iron to three feet on No. 9 (par 3, 165 yards) and converted. He made the turn with a two-shot lead.
However, two bogeys on Nos. 11 (par 4, 370 yards) and 12 (par 4, 400 yards) put him back in a share of the lead with Pirie and the host club’s Joe Hassett.
Johnson made an important 10-footer for par on No. 13 (par 3, 175 yards) and then another 10-footer for birdie on No. 14 (par 4, 332 yards). His lead was back to two shots.
“It got to the point where I felt I could make every putt I looked at,” said Johnson, 59, of Attleboro, Mass. “There aren’t many better feelings on the golf course than having that confidence and peace of mind in the case you hit a bad chip or are scrambling for par. I like the faster greens because I can focus on having a steady stroke.
“The greens roll so nice. I didn’t have a 3-putt all tournament. I struggled with my putter for quite some time. All I needed to change was where my head was over the ball. I was able to see the lines well here this week.”
Every time you thought Johnson was going to make a bogey, he rolled in a putt for par. A sinking feeling for all chasers.
The par of the tournament came on No. 16 (par 4, 440 yards), which played as the toughest hole of the event with a stroke average of 5.13.
Johnson hit a quick hook off the tee and couldn’t reach the green in two. He ripped a 3-wood out of the juicy Warwick rough and left himself a tricky 40-yard pitch. He hit that shot to six feet and converted.
It was a huge momentum swing. Pirie 3-putted for bogey after reaching the green in two.
“There are so many good players in these events,” said Johnson. “Dr. Pirie is a great player and players like him don’t beat themselves. You have to go out there and earn it.”
After Pirie 3-putted No. 17 (par 3, 190 yards), Johnson had a three-shot lead heading down the last (par 4, 410 yards).
Although he made bogey, it didn’t matter. The trophy was now his. And no longer would anyone question who he is or whether he could compete with the Ocean State’s best Seniors.
“It was a huge relief to finally roll in that last putt,” said Johnson. “I have been playing golf for all of these years and to finally win a state event, it means so much to me. There are so many good players and to come out on top validates that I belong.”