By Jon Levy - Staff Writer

April 30, 2010
-- Rio Verde, Ariz.


After holing a clutch 20-footer for birdie on his 53rd hole to take the solo lead of Desert Spring Series No. 2, Mike Derminio (69/67/68-204; 9 under) stood patiently -- and helplessly -- on the 18th green of Tonto Verde’s Ranch Course, gazed intently on the outcome of Nathan Tyler’s own 20-foot birdie bid to tie. Then, as fate saw Tyler’s beautifully struck putt ultimately just miss to the edge of the hole, lipping out instead of in, the 29-year-old multiple Gateway Tour winner could breathe a big sigh of relief as his final-hole par -- and solid final round of 68 -- were good enough for a second Gateway Tour title of 2010, worth $9,000.

A title that, as one would think would naturally lead towards for most professional golfers, solidifies the hard work he’s been putting in is paying off.

“I have to start by saying this week was the first week I used the Srixon Yellow Tour ball, so that was really fun,” said Derminio. “But, this (win) just goes back to what my coach (Jonathan Baker) and I have been working on in my game for a while now.

“I really have to thank him because he’s been the biggest help to me in golf and in life, and along with my family, the support there has been really great.

“It’s just something where we work hard on everything and when I go tee it up, I just try to do my best, give my thanks to god, and if it doesn’t work that week I just go back and work harder.”

With 12 birdies and just three bogeys during a week when the wind blew relentlessly on a demanding golf course, it understatedly “worked” for the 29-year-old Arizona State grad. But, if there were anything else this latest Gateway win solidifies for his mindset, it was exactly that -- his mindset -- which was a key component to coming out in the final round guns a-blazin’, with a two-under-though-four-hole start.

“You know, there are so many great players in the field, that on any given day, any one of them can shoot an amazing round,” said Derminio, who trailed Tyler by a stroke starting the day. “So it’s just something where you go out there and try to put up a good number, because you know you have to if you’re going to get it done.

“And, I was fortunate to hit a few close ones early, which got me going right away.”

Proud of himself for “grinding” through the round very well, Derminio’s perhaps most proud of that fateful birdie-putt he made on the 17th to give him the edge over Tyler.

“That was a great birdie,” he admitted. “I had about twenty feet and I poured it right in.”

Derminio was of course excited to win his second event of the year, considering it’s still just April, but he perhaps has a bigger excitement for his move to San Diego -- and to his new home golf course: Pauma Valley Country Club.

“I actually just found out the board approved me to practice and play out there, so I think I’m about as pumped about that as winning today,” he joked. “That’s such a great place to practice and play, I can’t wait to get out there. And so I really have to give my thanks to everyone at Pauma Valley for helping me out.

“There’s just so many people I should be thanking, for that matter, though,” Derminio continued. “I also want to thank David Morgan and everyone out at the Wigwam for helping me with TrackMan and dialing in my wedges. I think that’s been a huge help to me, and it’s definitely been showing in my game.

“I really just feel blessed for everyone who has helped me. There’s no doubt that I wouldn’t be here without such huge help over the years from so many people. I can’t thank them all enough.”

Following Derminio in third at six under was James Drew (68/72/67-207), while Dustin White (68/72/67-207), Chris Kamin (72/66/70-208) and Kendall Critchfield (67/70/71-208) rounded out the top-five tied for fourth.

Click here for full field results from Tonto Verde - Ranch and stay tuned as the Desert Spring Series resumes again next week, May 5-7, at Tonto Verde - Peaks…