Don Donatoni Earns First Super-Senior POY
Don Donatoni poses with the crystal at the Pennsylvania Senior Amateur
BROOMALL, Pa. – Don Donatoni, White Manor Country Club, earned his first W.C. Fownes, Jr. Super-Senior Amateur Player of the Year award, thanks in large part to his victory at the 58th Senior Amateur Championship at St. Clair Country Club. Donatoni finished 45 points clear of runner-up Paul Schlachter, The Club at Nevillewood, in the final Super-Senior POY standings.
Donatoni, of Malvern, Pa., also won his fifth-straight Golf Association of Philadelphia Player of the Year award during the 2017 season. Donatoni enjoyed success in the Senior Match Play at Lebanon Country Club, where he fell to eventual champion Dave DeNezza, Hannastown Golf Club, in a semifinal match. Donatoni then won the aforementioned Senior Amateur at St. Clair, but he wasn’t done yet. He made an impressive run in qualifying for the U. S. Senior Amateur at age 69, and advancing to the Round of 32, where he eventually fell to senior stalwart Chip Lutz, LedgeRock Golf Club.
“I felt great and played very well this season and I feel very fortunate to win my first State Super-Senior Player of the Year award here now at age 69. It’s great to compete against such strong fields on the great venues we get to enjoy in Pennsylvania. St. Clair was a phenomenal venue for the Senior Amateur and Robin McCool and I had a great battle there. Fortunately, I was able to come out on top thanks to some late birdies,” said Donatoni.
Donatoni will look to defend his crown in 2018 and to extend his GAP streak to six in a row.
"I truly enjoy the great competition and the friendships we make during the season. If I continue to be blessed with good health in 2018, even at 70, you can be sure that I will give it my all and if I can come anywhere close to what I achieved in 2017, it will be an exciting year,” added Donatoni.
W.C. Fownes, Jr. was the quintessential amateur golfer who led by example and whose good influence - personal and institutional - was extensive. W.C. Fownes' major golf credits include being a Pennsylvania Amateur and U.S. Amateur Champion, Walker Cup organizer, player and team captain, and USGA president.
The William C. Fownes, Jr. Amateur Player of the Year Award is given to the player that exemplifies the highest standards of excellence on the golf course in skill, sportsmanship, and etiquette in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Don Donatoni – What’s in the Bag?
Driver- Epic Sub Zero 9 degree
Woods- Titleist 3 & 5 woods
Hybrid- Taylor Made RBZ 3 hybrid and Ping G30 4 Hybrid
Irons- Callaway Apex 5-PW
Wedges- 52 Ping Glide gap wedge and 58 Callaway Mack Daddy
Putter- Odyssey O Works Blade
Ball- Taylor Made TP5