Meet the caddie: Don Donatello


Twitter Handle
@D2_59
Instagram Handle
@Don_Donatello

 

How long have you caddied?
Since 1998

Players I’ve caddied for…
Ken Duke, K.J. Choi, Tom Hoge, Jim Renner, JJ Henry, Chris DiMarco, Andy Bean, Jay Williamson, Kevin Na, Tommy Gainey, Billy Horschel, Stephen Ames, Eric Axley, Danny Lee, DA Points, Jeff Curl, Parker McLachlin, Tom Lovelady and Tim Petrovic. One to two tournaments: Morgan Hoffmann, Webb Simpson, Spencer Levin, Seungeun Noh, Scott Piercy, Matt Bettencourt, Len Mattiace, Joey Snyder III, Fulton Allem, Heath Slocum, Garrett Willis, Craig Barlow, Cameron Wilson and Will Gordon.

Childhood hometown…
Clearwater, Florida

High school attended…
Clearwater High

Did you play college golf?
Yes

Where did you play?
Chowan College

What is your greatest golf memory?
Monday qualified for my first Web.com Tour event at Miccosukee Championship, in Miami. Was invited to be on the Big Break 2, in Las Vegas. Special invite to Big Break 4 in Scotland. Won a car and 5,000 cash on Big Break 7 Reunion. Special invite to the Big Break Invitational at Reynolds Plantation. Won the Golf With Style show in Melbourne, Australia. Was a Life Line on a Golf Show called Million Dollar Shootout, where John O’Hurly was the host and other life lines were Fred Funk, Christie Kerr, Carin Koch, Mark Calcavecchia.

What is your greatest memory as a caddie?
Chris DiMarco made a hole-in-one on 17th at Warwick Hills in Mich. Worked For Tommy Gainey and he shot 29 on the back 9 on Saturday and Sunday at Disney to shoot 25 under and lose by one to Davis Love III. JJ Henry shot 60 in the first round of the Las Vegas Tournament.

What is the best part about being a caddie?
Being around the best players in the world and the PGA Tour is a big family.

Favorite Professional Golfer growing up?
Fred Couples

Favorite City to visit?
Monterey 

Favorite Course to caddie?
Waialae CC

Favorite course to play?
Too many great ones

Professional interests outside of golf?
Stock market

Favorite food?
Steak

Favorite beverage?
Sprite

Favorite restaurant?
Bone Fish

Favorite bar?
All

Favorite sports team?
Tampa Bay Bucs, Tampa Bay Rays, Tampa Bay Lightning, Orlando Magic

Favorite movie?
Green Mile

Who would be in your dream golf foursome, as a player?
Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Seve Ballesteros, Jack Nicklaus

Hobbies outside of golf?
Fishing, Biking, Beach, family, movies

What is your golf handicap? 
3

Who is your inspirational role model?
Grandfather

Alternate career choice and why? 
Head Golf Coach, would be great to use my knowledge to help these young kids be great. PGA tour rep, work with the best players in the world and be home more.

Nicknames… 
Double D, Ben Hogan, and Sam Snead

What is your favorite stop on Tour and why? 
Pebble Beach, one of the most beautiful places in the world.

What is your favorite restaurant on Tour and why?
Southern Soul in Sea Island, hard to find great barbecue

Where do your reside during off season? 
Orlando Florida

What is one thing about you that most people would be surprised to learn? 
Played baseball until I was 18 years old and then took up golf. Got a scholarship after only my second year of playing golf.

COMMENTS

  1. Double D is one of the nicest, most respectful and professional Caddies I had the pleasure to meet and support at the RBC Canadian Open over the years.

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