A Penny for your Thoughts: Free Lesson Guru Gary Bos

Gary Bos understands that one free lesson can do a lot more than provide golfers with a few tips regarding their swing. He knows that just one free lesson could open the door to a world of opportunity to a young kid who never thought golf was possible.

This year the Canadian PGA once again participated in a pilot project asking Members to record any free lessons, defined as any instruction that a CPGA Member provided without remuneration. It could range from a formal 30-minute lesson to an introduction clinic for beginners at a golf facility or something as simple as helping a neighbor with a putting tip in the backyard.

Bos conducted three free golf clinics this past May between Sparrow Lakes Golf Club and Peninsula Lakes Golf Club in St. Catharines, ON. The first clinic was May 6th at Peninsula Lakes where over 60 local elementary school students took part in their first golf lesson. Half of the students were aged four to 12 and brought their parents along for a few tips from the pro. Bos called the local elementary school to spark their interest in his program and to spread the love of the game to the kids at the school.

“This program worked really well,” states Bos, “the kids and parents saw this event as a great opportunity to spend quality time together while getting a few golf tips on the side.” Bos provided all of the equipment for the kids with the help of a fellow Canadian PGA professional. Over 30 sets of clubs were in tow as Bos took to the range to expose the children to their first club in hand experience. “It was such a great day for me because the kids had such a priceless look on their face, they were all so excited and full of energy, it was great,” states Bos.

Bos also ran a free junior clinic at Sparrow Lakes on May 10th where he taught over 30 kids and promoted the game to all levels of ability. Bos also conducts a yearly open house where anyone at any age or skill level can come and experience golf in an educational environment. “This was my second year hosting an open house and it definitely is one of the most popular events we host at the Academy. We are looking forward to once again organizing this valuable event next year to promote the game at all levels,” stated Bos who began golfing at the age of 11. In the month of May, Bos taught over 250 free lessons to both juniors and adults. “It’s definitely a lot of work, a lot of organization and coordination for myself and those that help me, but absolutely worth it in the end.”

As an amateur, Bos competed in seven consecutive Quebec Amateur & Quebec Junior championships and also competed in the Quebec Open and the Canadian Junior Championship. As a member of the University of Ottawa golf team for four years, Bos played in both NCAA and OUAA tournaments and was named an OUAA All-star in 1997.

Bos joined the Canadian PGA in 1998 and since then has been teaching golf at a high level for 11 years. Gary has been an Academy Instructor at world class facilities such as Jasper Park Lodge, Timberwolf Golf Club, the Toronto Golf Club, and the Grand Niagara Resort. In 2007, the Gary Bos Golf Academy was formed and continues to grow in the Niagara area and beyond. Bos’ students have included beginners, advanced players, juniors of all ages, low handicap and professional golfers.

Through his many years of teaching and playing golf, Bos has developed a love for the game that is clearly evident in the way he plays and teaches. He continuously strives to be the best in everything he does while making himself a better instructor, coach, and player in turn passing on that knowledge and experience to his students.

Bos’ belief is always to keep things simple when teaching lessons to his students. One of his greatest strengths is the ability to relate to a player who may be swinging a golf club for the very first time just as well as to someone who may have played the game for an entire lifetime. Bos strongly believes everyone is unique and everyone has the ability to reach their own individual potential.

For more information on influential Canadian PGA professionals in your area please visit www.cpga.com and search for a pro in your neighborhood.