GOLF
TWIN FORCE
From left, caddy FrankDobbs, Derekand Daryl Fathauer and caddy Kevin Clarkat last year’s Ginn Surr Mer Classic Pro-Am.
STORY AND PHOTOS BY GREG GARDNER
In 10 short years, twin brothers from Jensen Beach have
gone from their first golf lessons to being among the best
collegiate players in the country.
Derek and Daryl Fathauer, 21, are in their last semester of
eligibility at the University ofLoui sville and are almost certain
to make the PGA Tour as pro golfers, according to their
coaches and mentors.
“They’ve really progressed. They have the ability,” said
Frank Dobbs, golf pro at Eagle Marsh GolfClub in Jensen
Beach. Dobbs, a player in two U.S. Opens and three PGA
championships, said he mentored the boys, giving them little
tips and bits ofadvice during the hundreds ofskin s games
they played together at Eagle Marsh.
“Ifthey choose to, they will make it,” Dobbs said. “When
they came here, their swings were all over the place, heads
moving. They were out here seven days a week every
moment until dark. They kept working at it.”
The red-haired identical twins are both very modest and say
they are equally matched as golfers. “We both want each other
to do well,” Daryl said. “We always root for each other. One
day one ofus is better. The next day the other.”
Both young men are quick to credit their grandmother for
pushing them into golf. And both are equally grateful for all of
the golf courses that opened up their links for them to sharpen
their skills.
“We were 10 and our grandmother bought us clubs and
gave us lessons,” Derek said. “We used to watch golfwith her
and talk golf, eat dinner. It was fun. Eagle Marsh and Pine
Lakes. If it weren’t for the people there we would have given
up on it.”
Bruce Yeates, manager at Pine Lakes GolfClub, remembers
their perseverance.
“They would rush home after school, get their bikes and
clubs and come to the course,” he said. “They would clean up
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Jensen Beach brothers are headed
on same path toward PGA Tour