Derek Rende, a rising senior, has been a vital member of the Mocs three straight Southern Conference Championship squads. He took a moment recently to sit down with GoMocs.com.
Q: What would be your ultimate vacation spot?
RENDE: I would like to go to Sweden one day, so that Freddie (Qvicker) can make fun of me for trying to speak Swedish.
Q: What TV show do you watch you wouldn't tell your teammates about?
RENDE: Desperate Housewives
Q: If an actor were to play you in a movie, who would it be?
RENDE: Kevin Costner
Q: What is your favorite color?
RENDE: Blue
Q: Favorite sport other than the one you compete in?
RENDE: Basketball or baseball
Q: What song gets you pumped up for a round?
RENDE: I just listen to some Dave Matthews to calm me down a little bit before I get out of the van.
Q: Any superstitions you care to share? Anything you have to do before starting a round?
RENDE: Wake Freddie up at least three times.
Q: Are you a dog or cat person?
RENDE: Both (jeez Derek, take a stand)
Q: Who is the most famous person in your cell phone?
RENDE: Stephan Jaeger
Q: You're stranded on the road and your car is busted. Which teammate do you call to come get you?
RENDE: I would call Tripp (Harris), but he probably wouldn't answer...
Q: What is the first thing you purchased from the UTC bookstore?
RENDE: Hat
Q: Person that has most influenced you in life, why?
RENDE: My parents, I couldn't ask for better, they have supported me in everything I have chosen to pursue.
Q: Favorite food?
RENDE: Steak & baked potato, followed by some chocolate ice cream (Ed. Note: if on a road trip with the team, this would be Outback and Cold Stone Creamery. The guys find out where a Cold Stone is before they figure out where the course is).
Q: If you could trade places with Coach for one day what would you do?
RENDE: I guess I would have to go to the PGA Superstore in Atlanta.
Q: If you could give coach a nickname, what would it be?
RENDE: We tried to nickname him Fish but the SID we had with us didn't have the guts to start it, so now he is Fish.
Q: Funniest player on the team and why?
RENDE: Freddie hands down..... at first I thought it was just because his English wasn't that great when he first came over from Sweden, but he's hilarious.
Q: Which teammate would make a great politician and why?
RENDE: Stephan Jaeger...he knows everybody.
(Fill in the blank): The most famous person you've ever met is...Sal Rende or Stephan Jaeger.
Q: Nickname? How did you get it?
RENDE: I was called Rufus a bit in middle/high school because in one of my classes early in school one of my teachers accidentally called me by that and one my good buddies just called me that ever since..... They used to call me skeeter all the time when I was growing up at Valleybrook golf course because they said I looked like skeeter from the cartoon Doug.
Q: What was your favorite cartoon growing up?
RENDE: Doug or Hey Arnold
Q: What is your favorite club?
RENDE: The 7 iron....I never miss with the 7 iron.
Q: Favorite type of shot (drive, chip, etc.)
RENDE: Bump and run with the 60 degree wedge.
