Most people look on teaching as a job but
Beginning in 1973, Joe worked evenings and weekends at the Airport
Golfland off Hunt Club Road, running the business for Gib Patterson
for Joe Booth, it is much more than that. “I
and the Patterson family. “They are great people to work with and they
run into people that I have taught all over
have always supported me,” says Joe about his association with the
Pattersons who operate five of the golf properties where he has worked
the world,” says the Director of Golf at the
over the years.
Emerald Links Golf & Country Club in
Joe turned professional in 1975, received his Class “A” designation in
1980 and was validated in the process by long-time CPGA – Ottawa
Manotick Station, Ontario.
Zone Professionals Ray Haines and Larry McCauley. It’s been a
whirlwind tour ever since.
Long ago, Joe chose a career as a golf professional and although he
loves to teach golf and it pays the bills, it is another benefit of his career
He has served as golf professional and Director of Golf at many area
decision that stands out for him. It affords him the opportunity of making
clubs including Donneybrooke Golf Club, Hammond Golf Club, Perth
lifetime friendships.
Golf Club (Links O’Tay), Lombard Glen G&CC, Mapleview G&CC,
Cloverdale Links, Anderson Links and currently, Emerald Links. Joe
Joe estimates that he has taught close to 15,000 students through the
has also taught at the Thunderbird, Airport GolfLand, Innes Road and
years and stresses that he likes to have fun with his students. He
Target Golf Ranges.
expands a little on his philosophy of teaching. “I use humour trying to
make my students comfortable while I am teaching. Golfers have to
The highlight of his career (so far, he says) has been teaching Special
learn that every shot is a miss in one way or another and that there are
Olympic children to play golf during several sessions at the Civil Service
both good and poor misses. Teaching the basics of grip, posture, set-
Recreation Association (R.A.) on Riverside Drive in Ottawa where Joe
up and a proper swing are all important aspects of the game of golf to
has been the resident golf professional and has run a winter golf school
my students and they may determine the outcome of any given shot.
since 1980.
But, I want my students to relax, have fun, get the ball up in the air and
accept what they get. Understanding that golf is a game and not life and
Even though the award for CPGA – Ottawa Zone Teacher of the Year
death will help them enjoy the game at any level.”
has escaped him to date, Joe is proud of the fact that his peers have
nominated him for the award on multiple occasions. Although awards
Raised by his grandparents in the Alta Vista area of Ottawa, Joe has
are nice it seems the joy and success of his students mean more to him.
fond memories of growing up in the neighbourhood. In typical Joe
fashion he interjects a humorous story into our interview, telling a tale of
Junior golfers are first and foremost in importance to Joe and while his
a black and white pony he had as a child. Apparently it had broke
summer camps at Emerald Links may appear to be a picture of
loose and he laughs as he recounts that it was a future Ottawa Police
organized confusion, they are actually run in an orderly fashion. “The
Chief who ended up running down Alta Vista Drive trying to catch the
boys and girls are having fun.” And that, for Joe, is the bottom line
stray beast. Even then Joe knew to see life for the humour it could
when it comes to golf.
provide. That joy seems to carry over to his golf teaching style.
Joe has seen an increase in the number of female golfers and leagues
As with most young Canadians, baseball, hockey and football were the
through the years as well as a tremendous increase in the number of
sports Joe favoured in his youth. He has fond memories of Cradle
junior golfers, but makes the observation that “there are not enough
League hockey games at the old “Aud”, the 7,500 seat rink located at
junior girls entering the game.”
the corner of Argyle and O’Connor streets where the original Ottawa
Senators won the Stanley Cup in 1927. He played alongside future
“More of the same,” says Joe when asked about his future plans. “I’m
hockey stars like Ron Ellis, Mike Walton, Butch Corrigan and Murray
not even thinking about retirement. As long as I can get away down
Kuntz, often rushing home for a quick bite to eat before returning for
south for a few golf breaks during the winter, I get re-energized and
more ice time.
return ready to teach.”
After graduating from Ridgemont High School, Joe stayed in Ottawa
In almost three decades as a pro Joe’s only regret is not having gotten
and worked for the Department of National Defence as a draftsman for
involved with the golf industry earlier in life but he is more than pleased
nineteen years, starting in 1968 and closing out in 1987. During that
with where the game has taken him.
time though – he also pursued his other chosen profession.
With an old-school pro look accentuated by a large, bushy moustache,
Joe had picked up the bug to play golf at the age of 17 and with his $39
Joe Booth doesn’t appear to meet the mould of the “typical” golf
set of Spalding golf clubs became quite proficient at the game. An avid
professional, and that might just be part of why he is received so well by
member of the Outaouais Golf Club in Rockland since 1962, Joe was
his pupils. He has colourful stories to tell and puts people at ease
encouraged by then head professional Ray Haines to get involved in
around him – breaking down defences and opening people up to
the business of golf.
communication – a key to effective golf instruction. In seconds his
enthusiasm and love for golf and people shines through.
He is a unique spirit, that much is true, but with the golf industry looking
to attract more golfers, we could use a few more characters like him.
flagstick.com
MAY 2009 FGM 65
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