Meet the caddie: Don Donatello
By The Caddie Network Staff · March 28, 2020
@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.
In addition, Double D is the best instructor I’ve had (and there have been a lot in my 64 years)!!
Love it in Clearwater hope I see you over there soon
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.
One of life’s good guys.
A great caddy and deserves to be successful.
Best wishes Bud