Mark Immelman will attest that if winning a major championship changes a golfer's life, there is a trickle-down effect on those closest to him.

Mark Immelman (Staff)

Despite being nine years older than his brother, the Columbus State University golf coach bears a strong enough resemblance to the reigning Masters Tournament champion that he keeps finding himself in situations of mistaken identity.

The first encounter happened during the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, when a representative of Bermuda's Premier Ewart Brown approached Mark Immelman at the table where Trevor was having lunch.

"Trevor, the premier of Bermuda would like to have his picture taken with you," the representative said.

Mark argued with little success while his brother hid on the opposite side of the table.

"He said, 'Man, you've got to be my body double,' " Mark said.

He unintentionally obliged when the brothers returned to South Africa in December. After Mark caddied for Trevor in the South African Open, he was flying across the country with his wife and infant daughter to visit relatives for the holidays. It was a 6:30 a.m. flight to Durban, and he was unshaven and wearing sunglasses and a cap. The flight attendant gave them what seemed like a sympathetic smile as they settled into their seats in the back of the plane with a fussy child.

"Then he comes up and offers us three seats in business class," Immelman said. "I look at my wife and think maybe he's taking pity on us because we've got the little one and all these bags."

As they were getting their business class breakfast, there was some small talk about the fine round of Ernie Els the day before. But when Mark left his coffee untouched, the flight attendant grew concerned.

"Trevor, if you don't like the coffee, I can rebrew it for you," he said.

"I look at my wife like, 'What should I do?' " Mark said. "She says, 'Go with it. You don't want to make him feel like a fool.' "

So Mark Immelman went with it for the duration of the flight. When they arrived in Durban, the pilot wished the passengers a Merry Christmas and added "and to Trevor and his family, please bring us back more major championships."

Mortified, the imposter Immelmans rushed to the door and across the tarmac as quickly as possible. He looked back to see the pilot wave to them out the window.

"I want to find out who the flight attendant was and send him a picture autographed by Trevor and apologize to him," Mark said. "But that shows you how far the Masters goes."

And when he's not being mistaken for the Masters champ?

"I'm Trevor's brother. That's my new title, by the way," he said. "Our next door neighbor who works at the bank has people stop by whenever Trevor plays well to get the scoop. She's now become Trevor's brother's next door neighbor."

Reach Scott Michaux at (706) 823-3219 or scott.michaux@augustachronicle.com.