Doug Sanders, who was host of the Senior Tour’s annual visit to the Deerwood Club near Houston, became a Texan in 1968 when he accepted an invitation from developer Frank Sharp to be Sharpstown Country Club’s Tour representative. The winner of 20 PGA Tour events, Sanders used his connections with showbiz types to successfully promote golf. He was also a member of the U.S. Ryder Cup team in 1967, which won in Houston.

Doug was instrumental in assisting the Woodland C.C. to prominence and into a role as home to Houston’s PGA Tour event for many years. Sanders amassed an enviable record, including two finishes as runner-up to Jack Nicklaus in the British Open and two runner-up spots in U.S. Opens. Additionally, Sanders finished tied for fourth at the 1966 Masters, two strokes out of a playoff for the title.

Sanders joined the PGA Senior Tour in 1983 and won the World Seniors Invitational that same year. He began a pro-celebrity event in Houston at Memorial Park and it subsequently became the Doug Sanders Kingwood Celebrity Classic, played at the Deerwood Club outside Houston.

In 1990, The Sanders “happening” was visited by President George H. W Bush, marking the first time a president in office had competed in a regular pro-am event. Always known as a flashy dresser with shoes that matched his shirt and pants, Sanders was always a fan favorite.

Birthplace: Cedartown, GA

Born: July 24, 1933

Died: April 12, 2020