Started playing golf when he was age two.

Earliest golf memory is going to the range with his grandfather when he was five or six and getting his first golf lesson.

Has used the same 1961 quarter to mark his ball since 2014. Due to its high silver content, it's very shiny so he can see it from across the green. The first day he used it he shot 61, so he's never used a different marker since.

Best memory as a golf fan is at the World Golf Championships match play event in 2018. He and his dad walked inside the ropes and watched Stephen Ames and Charles Howell III play. That match ended around hole 15, so they stayed inside the ropes to see Tiger come through from behind. Tiger made a putt and had a big fist pump, and as a huge Tiger fan that was everything to him at the time.

Aspires to one day represent the U.S. in the Ryder Cup.

His father played college golf at New Mexico State University. Two of his uncles and older brother played at University of New Mexico before Samuel as well.

Parents started a golf retail store in Albuquerque in 1986 and sold it in 2016.

His brother, Steve Saunders, has played on the Korn Ferry Tour.

Was the 5A 2009 New Mexico individual state high school champion, playing for La Cueva High School in Albuquerque. Was a member of two state championship teams at La Cueva. Was also a three-time district champion in New Mexico (2008-10).

University of New Mexico team won the 2014 Mountain West Conference Championship.