Man Sentenced In Killing Of Beloved Hamptons Golf Caddie: DA

EAST HAMPTON, NY — A Springs man who pleaded guilty in the death of a beloved Amagansett golf caddie — who was also his former boss and friend — following an altercation last year was sentenced Monday to five years in prison, according to a representative for Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney.

Marc Dern, 35, was sentenced today in Judge Johns Collins' court to five years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision, the DA's office said. The sentence was a negotiated disposition on the top count of first-degree manslaughter, Tierney's office said.

Dern was represented by Andrew Weinstein and Brian DeSesa, both of whom did not immediately return requests for comment.

Suffolk County Police and East Hampton Town Police arrested Dern and charged him with first-degree manslaughter after the death of Kevin Somers, 45, following an altercation at Dern's Lincoln Avenue home in February, 2022, authorities said.

East Hampton Town police responded to the Lincoln Avenue home following a 911 call regarding an altercation between the two men, police said.

Somers, of Amagansett, was transported to Southampton Hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said. Dern was not injured, police said.

Dern later admitted to killing Somers as part of a plea agreement in January; he said he put Somers in a "headlock or chokehold" during an altercation while the two longtime friends were watching a golf tournament on television, according to Newsday. Also according to Newsday, Somers' family felt Dern should have called for help right away.

A scholarship fund was created to honor Somers' legacy. The scholarship was created to honor Somers’ life; Somers was a well-known golf caddie in the community and worked at the Maidstone Club.

"This site has been created to continue his legacy of sporting excellence for local student-athletes," a GoFundMe page, "The Kevin Somers Scholarship Fund," created by his wife Alicia Osborne, said.

"All who knew Kevin were aware of his enthusiasm, compassion, dedication, and generosity towards family, friends, and community," Osborne wrote.

After his death, the community mourned: Joseph Kazickas wrote on Facebook: "Today we learned about the death of Kevin Somers. Kevin was a second generation member of the Maidstone family and was our caddie master and starter. An excellent golfer, Kevin was also a level-headed guy who knew exactly how to take care of the people he was engaged to be responsible for, the caddies and the members. He balanced these responsibilities with sensitivity and personal engagement, and I know that everyone who knew Kevin will miss him. My family certainly will. Bless you Kevin."

Dern had faced up to 25 years in prison on the first-degree manslaughter charge, the DA said.