By Doug Milne,
Sanderson Farms Championship Correspondent
My first real memory of the Sanderson Farms Championship dates to before I even arrived on site for the first time. And, to say it left me with unpleasant feelings about the event is, well, a bit of an understatement.
Not to worry, though. It took no time at all once I got on site for that negative attitude to make a full turn.
In 2011, as a Media Official for the PGA TOUR on site at most TOUR events, I was scheduled to fly from the John Deere Classic in Moline, Illinois, to my first Sanderson Farms Championship at Annandale Golf Club in Madison. Protocol for Media Officials has always been to book flights for the year early, once schedules were established.
I did just that. I have, however, been known to overlook a few details on occasion. Once my flight from the Quad Cities boarded for Madison that Monday morning, I sat back and relaxed on the plane. I was so relaxed, in fact, that I fell asleep and didn’t wake up until hearing the flight attendant announce our final descent into the airport. It felt like no time had passed, which pleased me greatly.
It wasn’t until I was walking through the airport that I realized my disaster of a mistake. It required an immediate call to my supervisor.
“Joel, I’ve got good news, and I’ve got bad news,” I started. “The good news is that I’m in Madison. The bad news is that I’m in Madison…Wisconsin.”
I determined the origin of the mistake to be when I was booking my flights for the season. With the 2011 event here being my first time in the area, I assumed “Madison” was the airport into which I would travel. Unaware that Madison did not have its own airport, I deduced that I had foolishly (and, clearly, without paying attention) booked the flight for the “other” Madison.
Silly me.
Although it cost me time, money, and confidence, I successfully arrived in Jackson, Miss., that night. I was irritated and embarrassed, determined that the 2011 event would be – by my own choice – my first and LAST Sanderson Farms Championship.
Now, I realize this sounds dramatic, but what happened next – and throughout the week – changed that mindset. As opposed to there being one thing that won me over with the event, it was a host of things all week long, at every turn, that not only softened the edges of my invective but won my heart over entirely.
Every year since then, the Sanderson Farms Championship has built on that appreciation, respect, and love. The winner of that 2011 event at Annandale was Chris Kirk, a dear friend of mine. The following year, another buddy, Scott Stallings, took top honors. Not only did those two victories change the lives of the two winners for the better, but I also saw the event enhance and bring tremendous joy to the lives of everyone associated with it. From volunteers and Club staff to local businesses and fans, I began to realize that Mississippi’s only major-league professional sporting event wasn’t just a week-long escape from reality, as is the case at many events. The event was a part of the fabric of the community and state all year long.
While winners of the Sanderson Farms Championship, such as Kirk and Stallings, certainly gave credibility to the event, it was Executive Director Steve Jent who, beginning with the 2014 tournament, provided grounding and fluidity to the event. There was also the bigger and broader financial reach to individuals and organizations in need of a helping hand.
Largely credited for making that all possible was, certainly, Century Club Charities, but also the title sponsorship assumed proudly in 2013 by Mississippi-based Sanderson Farms.
Since that 2014 event, won by Nick Taylor, Steve has fully embraced – and been embraced by – every individual and organization in and around the state of Mississippi. Working hand-in-hand with host organization Century Club Charities, a not-for-profit organization of local businessmen and women, the annual event has raised nearly $30 million for Children’s of Mississippi and numerous other Mississippi charities.
Having worked on site at upwards of 800 PGA TOUR-sanctioned events between 1991 and 2024, I know a real deal when I see one. I know the difference between those who check obligatory boxes versus the heart-driven ones who go above and beyond every expectation because it’s what they want and feel the need to do.
Steve Jent is the poster boy for the latter category.
Sure, he works hard and makes outstanding strides because, like us all, he needs to keep a job. But the factor that distinguishes him from others is that Steve wants to do a great job. And, he has done that – across every level – better than most.
When Peter Malnati won the 2015 Sanderson Farms Championship in Steve’s second year as Executive Director, it set into motion a friendship between Peter and me that remains unbreakable and stronger than ever to this day.
Given the nature of his character as a person, another lifelong friendship between Steve and myself also developed. Early on, I respected Steve for the outstanding job he did as Executive Director and looked forward to spending a full week each year with him on site at The Country Club of Jackson.
It didn’t take long before that professional-only respect for one another gave way to a friendship that grew stronger by the day, complete with long talks on the phone, regular check-ups, and even the comparing of our workouts. In case anyone hasn’t noticed, Steve looks – and is – healthier and more fit in his 60s than he was in his 20s. I, a 57-year-old, am proud to make a similar claim. That made for highly entertaining and informative chats.
Beyond the impact Steve had on me, both personally and professionally, I couldn’t help but watch him in action at each Sanderson Farms Championship I was fortunate enough to be a part of. Whether it was a CCJ cart cleaner, shuttle volunteer, or the winner of the event, Steve had the unique ability to make every man, woman, and child feel special, significant, and, best of all, wanted.
He continues to live the same way today, and we’re all better, more confident people because of it.
Since exact numbers of on-site galleries and telecast audiences can be tricky to pinpoint at TOUR-sanctioned events, true values can be hard to determine. But, with the passion Steve’s team, Century Club Charities, and Wayne-Sanderson Farms put into each year’s event, the most heartwarming measure of success became apparent through the volume of love and support that came from the hearts of all who’ve ever, in any way, had a hand in the Sanderson Farms Championship.
Late last year, after learning that my time at the TOUR was coming to an end after 33 years, Steve was one of the first people I wanted to call. With the tough news I gave him, he did what he does best. His unwavering support towards the well-being of all people resulted in him telling – not asking – me that his beloved Sanderson Farms Championship would not be the same without me on site working it. He hired me for the week, which gave a tremendous boost to my confidence and, yes, my bank account.
That brings me to the here and now…on site and in the Sanderson Farms Championship Media Center.
Following 12 years of exceptional success across countless levels, Wayne-Sanderson Farms is hosting its final event as the tournament’s title sponsor. Even with the search on in full force to find another company to take the reins, the reality is that the fate of the event, now completing its 58th year, remains up in the air.
I know Steve is very much in the business mix with the PGA TOUR and Century Club Charities, trying to find that next sponsor and keep the event going long into the future. I imagine it has resulted in some long days and sleepless nights for all involved. But Steve’s a smart and savvy businessman who finds no value in negative thoughts. His primary inspiration is both pure and apparent. Less about himself, Steve is infinitely more interested in continuing to help foster growth, health, and happiness within his adopted home state of Mississippi.
With the sincerity of that determination unquestioned, the only thing more graceful and comforting to me than knowing I’ve forever got a true and dear friend in him is knowing how many others in and beyond the state of Mississippi feel the same way.
A comment my late grandmother used to leave me with at the end of my visits to her is one I wholeheartedly extend to Steve: “I love you and I like you.” The only thing I’d add to that is that I – we – are also all better people because of him.
I’ve also got to admit that I’m rather glad he wasn’t around for my little detour to Madison, Wisconsin, in 2011. One to find great pleasure in a good laugh, he would’ve never let me live that one down.
