In this live episode from the RBC Canadian Open, host Colin Weston steps inside the Caddie Lounge (powered by [Levelwear](www.levelwear.com)) to uncover the gritty reality of life on the bag with 28-year tour veteran Don “Double D” Donatello.

From carrying 42-pound golf bags up the equivalent of 60 flights of stairs a round to a dramatic "I quit" moment on the 4th hole, Don shares the wild, unfiltered stories of 650+ tournaments and why this lounge is a game-changer for professional caddies.

Key takeaways in this episode with Don that you will discover:
The Harsh Math of Caddie Economics:
Don breaks down the financial gamble of being a looper - the low base salary, paying your own travel expenses, and how missing the cut means earning $0 for a week’s work.

The Physical Toll of Looping:
It’s not just walking. Don reveals the insane fitness stats: 18,000+ steps and 30-60 flights of stairs per day, all while balancing a 42-pound bag on uneven terrain.

How the Caddie Lounge Was Born:
Learn how a simple conversation over a Levelwear hat turned into a tour-wide movement, giving caddies their own space with massage therapists, video games, and the dignity they’ve deserved for years.

The Caddie Lounge at The RBC Canadian Open is Levelwear's way of supporting their "Who's With You?" campaign to provide PGA Tour caddies with a space to unwind, rejuvenate and hang out with their fellow loopers. The Caddie Lounge is now at over 10 PGA Tour stops annually.

Three Inspiring Quotes from Don Donatello
On the old days vs. now:
"28 years ago, I only got paid $400 a week. You drove in a car and slept three to a room. One guy would sleep on the floor and you had to stand outside in the rain. Now, thanks to Levelwear, we feel like we’re being treated like the players."

On the secret to a long career:
"Certainty out here is very important as a caddie. A lot of mistakes these PGA Tour players make aren’t because they not good - it’s because they’re uncertain. Knowing when to speak and when not to is a very fragile thing."

On saving Webb Simpson’s career:
"He had four holes to play to keep his card. I changed his read on two putts. He made both. He shot 63 to keep his card. He said, 'Those were some of the greatest reads ever!'"

Episode Chapters
00:00 – Live from the RBC Canadian Open: Welcome to the Caddie Lounge
01:15 – Meet Don “Double D” Donatello: 28 years, 31 bags, 650+ events
02:30 – The Birth of the Caddie Lounge (and the “Who’s With You” campaign)
05:20 – Then vs. Now: **Sleeping on floors to massage tables
**07:05 – The brutal physical stats: 42lbs, 18k steps, and 60 flights of stairs
09:15 – Don’s origin story: From best player at the club to caddie
10:20 – The economics of looping: Base salary, expenses, and betting on your player
13:05 – Don's Proudest moment: The Webb Simpson story (changing reads to save a card)
15:05 – The “I Quit” story: Walking off the course mid-round
18:05 – How new caddies get jobs (agents, veterans, and the Korn Ferry grind)
21:05 – Inside the prep work: How Don and Tom Hoge tackle a new course
24:35 – The therapist role: Knowing when to talk and when to shut up
26:12 – Wrapping up and wishing Don luck at The RBC Canadian Open

Welcome to Season 19 of The ModGolf Podcast! We are thrilled to kick off the new season with Hyman Ngo, Co-Founder and SVP of Product and Marketing at the premium athletic wear brand, Levelwear.

In this episode, Hyman takes us on a fascinating journey that began not as a startup, but as an acquisition. He shares the story of how his family transitioned from being a contract manufacturer to building the branded powerhouse that now outfits 85 of the top 100 golf clubs in the U.S and Canada.

We dive deep into Levelwear's unique brand ethos, exploring their powerful "Who's With You" manifesto and how it manifests in the real world through their innovative "Caddy Lounge" activation at PGA and LPGA events. Hyman also discusses the delicate balance of sustainability, the art of staying fresh in a crowded market, and how licensing deals with major leagues like the NHL and MLB help build brand legitimacy. Whether you're a golfer, an entrepreneur, or a fan of smart business strategy, this conversation is packed with insights on building a brand that lasts.

Key Takeaways You Will Discover:
The Power of Authentic Brand Building: Learn how Levelwear transitioned from a behind-the-scenes manufacturer to a coveted brand by focusing on relationships and leveraging early success in top-tier U.S. clubs (like Pebble Beach) to build credibility back home and beyond.

Celebrating the "Who's With You": Discover the philosophy behind Levelwear’s manifesto and how it led to the creation of the "Caddy Lounge." This marketing activation focuses on serving the unsung heroes of the game, proving that authentic engagement with a community can be more powerful than traditional consumer-facing advertising.

Balancing Sustainability with Performance: Hyman shares the brand's commitment to "buy less, but buy better," discussing the challenges of creating durable, high-performance apparel using sustainable materials while navigating the inherent contradiction of a consumption-based business model.

Three Quotable Moments from Hyman:

On the mentality of golf: "It's one of those sports where it's not about how much you want it. The more you want it, the harder you try, the worse you seem to do. It's such a good metaphor in life."
On the Levelwear brand ethos: "We're choosing to celebrate all the people around the athlete as it takes a village for anyone to succeed. And that's the people we want to celebrate."
On their design philosophy: "The one thing about brands is you don't want to get stale. We let the designers have a bit of fun. We'll let them do some things that maybe you would never see a golf brand do. And that's part of our appeal."

Are you more of a watcher than a listener? Then check out our extended bonus segment with Hyman on The ModGolf YouTube channel. Click on this link or the image below to watch.

Hyman Ngo's bio page >> https://modgolf.fireside.fm/guests/hyman-ngo

Links & Resources Mentioned:
Levelwear Instagram: @levelwear
LinkedIn: Hyman Ngo
Levelwear: www.levelwear.com
The ModGolf Podcast: www.mod.golf

Episode Chapters:
00:00: Welcome to Season 19 and Introducing Hyman Ngo
01:09: The Icebreaker: Hyman's first golf experience and the "metaphor of life."
04:09: Colin’s personal review of wearing Levelwear on the course.
05:29: From Manufacturer to Brand: The 2004 acquisition of Levelwear.
09:00: The Early Days: What the product line looked like 20 years ago and the initial struggle to grow.
12:58: Breaking into the U.S. Market: How Pebble Beach validated the brand for Canadian customers.
14:55: Standing Out in a Crowd: Levelwear's differentiators in a market with 400+ soft goods exhibitors.
22:31: The "Who's With You" Manifesto: The "why" behind the brand.
24:41: The Caddy Lounge: Honoring the unsung heroes of golf and building credibility from the ground up.
26:02: Sustainability Initiatives: Seaweed materials, durability, and the "buy less, buy better" philosophy.
35:04: The Power of Partnerships: How licensing with MLB, NHL, NBA, and the PGA Tour builds legitimacy.
36:05: Peeking Behind the Design Curtain: How the team finds inspiration in streetwear and action sports to stay fresh.
40:13: Where to find Levelwear & Final Thoughts.

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As the creator and host of The ModGolf Podcast and YouTube channel I've been telling golf entrepreneurship and innovation stories since May 2017 and I love the community of ModGolfers that we are building.

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I look forward to seeing you during an upcoming live show!... Colin

We want to thank our partner British Columbia Golf for presenting this episode of The ModGolf Podcast!

British Columbia Golf strives to create a golf environment that is respectful of participant's personal goals and is free from all forms of maltreatment. British Columbia Golf supports women golfers and players of all ages and abilities, while continually working to increase participation in the sport with programs such as the Cloud Series.

British Columbia Golf is the Provincial Sport Organization for golf as recognized by the Government of British Columbia and ViaSport. Golf Canada recognizes the association as the governing body within the province. British Columbia Golf provides programs benefitting golfers and the golf industry in the province. Check out their website https://britishcolumbiagolf.org/

Special Guest: Hyman Ngo, Levelwear Co-Founder and SVP of Product/Marketing.