In the News

[Jeffrey Reed]

Wilson Golf Reed On The Greens, by Jeffrey Reed
July 8, 2011
Copyright 2011 London Ontario Golf

Even with an alter ego named Mr. Knickers, and a golf bag full of plastic clubs and tennis balls, London golf instructor Brian Gallant has no problem earning the respect of his students and peers. In fact, the Firerock Golf Club-based teacher was recently recognized across the province for coaching excellence.

Building on his involvement with the Golf Association of Ontario’s golf-in-schools program, Gallant was recently named winner of an Ontario Coaching Excellence Award. With competition now open to golf instructors, Gallant became the first in his field to take home the hardware.

“It was pretty exciting. I didn’t realize how big of a deal it was until the association mentioned it to me,” said Gallant, who was recognized in the recreation/grassroots category.

Visit Gallant’s website, www.bgggolf.ca, and you’ll see he is as busy as John Daly’s golf pants. He’s lead instructor with the CN Future Links Girls Club London, which involves about 120 students each year and has graduated about 450 young golfers locally. The GAO has put Gallant in charge of its new Golf Development Centre in London for golfers age 6-18. And, of course, there’s Mr. Knickers, who appears in local schools through the Callaway Golf in School program.

“The kids at schools call me Mr. Knickers,” Gallant explained. “I don’t give them my real name. But the funny thing is, I’ve had a few kids come from that program to other programs, and sure enough they put (two and) two together.”

Working with children in Grades 1-3, Gallant introduces a whole new generation to the game of golf through “a very fun, enjoyable environment. We use clubs that are plastic, we use sticky flags and tennis balls to introduce them to the game,” he said.

A CPGA Professional, Gallant is excited about the new development centre, which relies on a pyramid of philosophy, starting at the grassroots level and working towards elite skills. It fits nicely with part of Gallant’s teaching framework which optimizes the relationship between an individual’s natural build and the best golf swing that fits that body type, as well as how a golfer thinks.

“Based on how the golfer learns the best … we can provide anything they need. For example, some golfers are very visible and they need the video. Some are very technical, so we do a lot of activities to help them learn. So my philosophy is, adapt to the person – find out their needs and give them what they need so they can (play) their greatest golf,” said Gallant.

Private and semi-private coaching, ladies-only coaching, seminars and workshops are just part of Gallant’s hectic schedule. Even tracking him down at the range at Firerock was a task in itself. But when he appeared – complete in Mr. Knickers attire - Gallant displayed all the passion he possesses for the game of golf.

When asked to define his role as a golf instructor, Gallant morphs from Mr. Knickers to a serious golf professional. He said, “I don’t see myself as a teacher. I see myself as a coach.”

No one’s laughing at Mr. Knickers now.

Ed. Note: Reed On The Greens returns Monday, July 18. Enjoy the Open Championship. Be sure to watch Forest City Fairways on Rogers TV every Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

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For nearly a century, Wilson Golf has designed, manufactured and distributed premium and recreational golf equipment throughout the world. Since 1914, Wilson Staff irons have won 61 Major championships, more than any other iron manufacturer in history. Wilson Staff's D-FY combo set, FG Tour irons, Conform glove and the distance D:25 golf ball were honored with Golf Digest's Hot List awards in 2010. Wilson Staff, Profile, ProStaff and Hope consumer brands continue that tradition today by delivering the highest quality golf equipment to all golfers to enhance performance on the course and overall enjoyment of the game.