John Derr dies at 97; covered 62 Masters and confidant to golf's best players

PINEHURST, N.C. – John Derr, who reported from the Masters a record 62 times and broadcast from the 15th green when it first was on television, died of an apparent heart attack, his daughter said Sunday. He was 97.

Cricket Gentry said her father watched the Belmont Stakes as American Pharoah won the Triple Crown. She went to his house after the race Saturday night and found him in his chair in front of the TV.

Derr attended his first Masters in 1935 and was in the clubhouse when Gene Sarazen made his albatross on the par-5 15th hole. He worked for CBS Radio and was part of the first telecast from Augusta National in 1956.

Derr also was in Carnoustie in 1953 when Ben Hogan captured the only British Open he played.