Caddie famed for guiding Nancy Lopez dies at 82

Gerald (Dee) Darden, Hall of Famer Nancy Lopez's caddie during her heyday, died Aug. 24 in Mount Pleasant, S.C., after a long illness. Darden was 82.

Darden, who was inducted into the Professional Caddies Association Hall of Fame in 2001, became a caddie in 1976 after a distinguished career as an Air Force pilot, which included flying B-52s and, later, F-4 Phantoms while conducting photo reconnaissance during the Vietnam War.

Darden caddied on the LPGA Tour for 15 years. In addition to Lopez, he also worked for Hall of Famers Beth Daniel and Patty Sheehan.