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Watch Don's Interview
Preview Don's Swing
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DON DONATELLO
(The Big Break II)
Birthdate: 2/9/69
Residence: Sanford, Fla.
Hometown: Clearwater Beach, Fla.
Occupation: Professional golfer
Marital Status/Children: Married/1
Home Golf Course: Legacy Club at Alaqua Lakes
Collegiate Golf Experience: Chowan College, Murfreesboro, N.C.
Hobbies: Fishing, playing sports, sports card collecting
Bio Update: Since The Big Break II, Don has stayed quite involved in the game of golf, and continues to chase the dream of becoming a full-time member of the PGA TOUR. He says he still gets recognized constantly and believes that his experience on The Big Break II has humbled him. Along with fellow Big Break II contestants Dave Gunas and Mike Foster, he appeared on an episode of The Big Break IV: USA vs. Europe, competing against the United States and European teams. Don competed on the Grey Goose Tour and the Hooters Tour in 2006. He also qualified for the Utah Classic on the Nationwide Tour in 2005, missing the cut. He says he'll have more fun on The Big Break VII: Reunion, and if he doesn't perform well, this could be "the last straw."
The Big Break II Bio: Don caddied for PGA TOUR players Chris DiMarco, Andy Bean and Jay Williamson before he decided to turn professional. 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 70s 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.
The Big Break II Results: Don made the series finale, where he was defeated by Kip Henley on the 20th hole.
What's In Don's Bag:
Driver: Callaway FT-5 Tour 8.5 degrees with a Neutral head and a Aldila 60X VS Proto
Woods: Callaway X Tour 15 degrees with a Aldila 70X VS Proto
Hybrid: Callaway 2H with a Grafalloy Comp NT X
Irons: Callaway X Forged 3-PW with 6.5 Flighted Project X Shafts
Wedges: 54-11 degrees X Tour Vintage with a 6.5 Flighted Project X Shaft
60-11 degrees X Tour Vintage with the Phil Mickleson Grind and Mack Daddy Grooves
Putter: Guerin Rife Putter called Antigua Island Series at 34 inches
Ball: Callaway HX Tour 56
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