Derek Rende just earned a lot more money for Spanish lessons.
The former Soddy-Daisy High School and University of Tennessee at Chattanooga golfer earned his first professional victory last weekend at the Lexus Panama Classic in Rio Hato, Panama. The tournament was the second of the season on the PGA Tour Latinoamerica, which will have the Chattanooga resident substantially expanding his count of countries visited by the end of the year.
"It's definitely a culture shock going to places like Colombia, but hopefully I'll get used to it pretty soon," Rende said this week. "Everything is kind of difficult as far as getting from one place to another, especially because my Spanish isn't great. It makes things tough, whether it's ordering dinner or telling a taxicab where to take you.
"I had some Spanish in high school, but that was a long time ago, and the off-the-golf-course trials are much more to think about than just hopping in the car and driving to the next tournament like you do here in the States."
Rende, the husband of former Baylor School and University of Alabama golfer Brooke Pancake, won $31,500 for his triumph in Panama and is tied for the tour money lead. The top five finishers on the PGA Tour Latinoamerica money list earn cards to play a full season on the Web.com Tour, with the next five earning partial status.
Resuming that quest will take place next month, when Rende travels to tournaments in Argentina and Guatemala. He hopes to speak a little more Spanish by then.
"Brooke knows a lot more Spanish than me, so she was helping me get around in Panama," said Rende, who qualified for the PGA Tour Latinoamerica in early January. "She has been helping me learn some more and has helped me refresh what I knew in high school."
For the first six months of last year, Rende caddied for his wife on the LPGA Tour. Pancake earned $43,216 last season in 19 events, finishing 116th in the world, and has made $223,914 since turning pro in 2013.
Yet it was the role of thrilled spectator that Pancake happily assumed last weekend as she watched Rende claim his first tournament victory since the 2008 Tennessee Amateur Championship.
"What an unbelievable feeling," Pancake posted on Twitter after the two returned Monday. "I am so blessed and thankful to have been able to see my husband's first professional win. I couldn't be more proud and excited. I am still grinning ear to ear that I was able to cheer him on and hug his neck."
Former Hixson High School and Southern Miss golfer Paul Apyan had a top-15 finish in Panama, while former Baylor and UTC golfer Stephan Jaeger has competed so far this year on the PGA Tour Latinoamerica as well as the Web.com Tour. Having such familiarity is nice for Rende, who frequently gathers with those and others for rounds at Council Fire.
Despite what Rende accomplished last week and what Pancake has achieved so far in her pro career, they always are juggling their chances to be together along with enhancing their talents on the course.
"It was really special that Brooke was down there to share in that special moment with me," Rende said. "That made it that much better. We'll just have to sit down, look at our schedules and figure out how we're not apart for more than two or three weeks at a time.
"It's not always a glamorous lifestyle, that's for sure. There are a lot of hours in airports. You're apart from each other, and you're a long way from home, but we're doing what we love and are trying to maximize the time we do have together."
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.