Walking with the Golden Bear

SEATTLE, WA (August, 2002)-Anyone that knows Dave Boivin will say that he has always been one to create memorable experiences for his family, friends, and golf students. This time, he created one for himself: Dave caddied for the Golden Bear. According to Dave, it was "one of the most fun days of my life."

In 1975 at the age of 35, Jack Nicklaus was making statistical history to become the greatest golfer in the history of the game. While watching every one of the Golden Bear's moves, Dave was beginning his golf career as the youngest head professional in the history of Canada at the Phantom Lake Golf Club. Now decades later, Dave is a full-time Teaching Professional and Class A member of the PGA of America. His appreciation for the game and for the Golden Bear brought even greater meaning to Dave's opportunity to "walk with Jack" and carry his bag during the 2002 Merrill Lynch Charity Skins Match held at TPC Snoqualmie Ridge.

The day provided plenty of smiles and stories for Dave, including hearing about Mr. Nicklaus' day prior win with partner Tiger Woods in the Battle at Bighorn, the nationally televised skins match. Jack also shared his insight and appreciation for the beauty of his golf course, TPC Snoqualmie, designed in 1999. One of the humorous stories Dave shares was when Mr. Nicklaus executed a shot, turned to Dave and joked with him that he could use a lesson. After a moment of reflection, Dave responded with a chuckle: "Mr. Nicklaus, that would be a highlight of my career, but I believe you should probably stick with Mr. Flick!" Dave had the opportunity to also meet Jack's coach, Jim Flick, who held a clinic at TPC as part of the fund-raising event.

When Dave was later interviewed by KJR Sports Radio Broadcaster Mike Gastineau, he told of three caddying rules Mr. Nicklaus had shared with the media when asked what he looked for in a caddy during Tiger Woods' and his Caddy Fluff's breakup: "Show up…Keep up…and …Shut-up". Dave then told his story of the 5th hole when Jack was just short of the green, hitting his third shot with a sand wedge that ended about 12 feet from the hole. The crowd clapped, then Jack looked at him and said: "Dave, that was pathetic, wasn't it?" Dave smiled and knew it was time for rule #3.

Over the years Dave has always been a student of the game, studying various teaching strategies to enhance his effectiveness with students young and old. He's studied many diverse approaches to both the skill and enjoyment of the game, from working directly with golf experts like Jimmy Ballard, Ted Naff and Fred Shoemaker, to becoming certified by noted Canadian golf physical therapy expert David Lindsay. Dave enjoys integrating what he's learned, including from his caddying time for Jack Nicklaus, into his private and playing lessons, his full-day golf schools and other on-site corporate golf events, and his FITforeGOLF and Yoga For Golfers fitness classes. For more information, Dave can be reached via his website: www.golfresults.net, his office, 206.284.1671 or at Interbay Golf Center, 206.285.2200.

Walking with the Golden Bear

Thousands of lessons taught by PGA Professionals using these golf practice nets!