Flying Dutchman Derksen, 42 today

Former European Tour player, Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen celebrates his 42nd birthday today (3 January). The player from Nijmegen waved farewell to tournament golf after 20 years on tour at the end of 2014.  During the KLM Open that year, in which he finished 11th – his best result in the Dutch Open – players and supporters turned their shirt collars up at the 18th hole at the Kennemer G&CC as a mark of respect.  It was a memorable and tearful moment.  The polo shirt trademark throughout his career has now been replaced by a tailored shirt in one of his new roles as golf commentator with TV broadcaster Ziggo Sport, formerly Sport 1 television.

 

Robert-Jan took up golf at the age of 14 and turned pro in 1996 (handicap plus 3). Seven years later he hit the big time when he won the 2003 Dubai Desert Classic, beating his nearest rival Ernie Els to claim his biggest prize cheque to date: 291,994 euros. His victory also earned him an invitation to play in the NEC Invitational (now known as the WGC Bridgestone Invitational) later that year.  The lucrative, limited entry tournament earned him a handsome 30,000 euros for a lowly 42nd place.   Two years later came his next victory, the Madeira Island Open.  Although he was denied a third victory, his consistency on the European Tour resulted in career earnings of more than 5 million euros in 394 appearances.

 

We’ll be following his new career paths with great interest. And who knows, after a six or seven year break, he may well even get the tournament golf bug again and tee-up on the Senior Tour.

 

Until then, enjoy your “retirement” and Happy Birthday, Robert-Jan!

 

Wendy Hoad

 

DUTCH radio interview with Robert-Jan Derksen. You can hear what “Mister Consistency” had to say during a press conference just prior to the 2014 KLM Open by scrolling down below and checking out: Golfing Inspirations/Radio/Speaking of golf/ Mister Consistency Derksen.

 

Photography by Golfing Inspirations.