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Don Donatello - "Big Break II" Contestant

By , About.com Guide

Don Donatello - The Big Break IIThe Golf Channel

Age:

35

Residence:

Lake Mary (Orlando), Fla.

Hometown:

Clearwater Beach, Fla.

Occupation:

Professional golfer

Marital Status/Children:

Married/1

Home Golf Course:

Legacy Club at Alaqua Lakes

Collegiate Experience:

Chowan College, Murfreesboro, N.C.

Hobbies:

Fishing, playing sports, sports card collecting

Notables:

Although his dream is to someday play professional golf on the PGA TOUR, Don currently caddies for tour pro Jay Williamson to make ends meet. He also has carried the bag in the past for Chris DiMarco and Andy Bean.

Whenever he has the time, Don is on the course and plays often with standouts like Jim Thorpe, John Cook, Zach Johnson and Brian Gay who make Orlando their home.

Don loved baseball growing up - which explains his extensive baseball card collection that at one point reached more than a million cards - but switched to golf in high school when it looked like baseball would not be his ticket to success. He broke 100 his first time on the golf course and was playing in the 70's within a year.

His natural talent led to a college scholarship offer and the first step in his career as an assistant golf pro. But teaching left no time to play. After a few stints at different golf clubs, Don ended up at the The Country Club at Heathrow, which is where he met DiMarco and got his start as a caddie.

His desire to play big-time golf was evident when he sold his card memorabilia to pay the entry fee for the PGA TOUR Qualifying School. His professional playing highlights include a record-setting six consecutive wins on the Moonlight Tour, finishing second out of 148 players at the Hooters Tour qualifying school and shooting a 67 to qualify for the Nationwide Tour's Miccosukee Championship, beating out 99 other competitors.

He has won more than 30 mini-tour events, has four holes-in-one and holds nine course records, with his lowest score at 63.

Source: The Golf Channel

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