Gary Ostrega - "Big Break VI" Contestant

Personal:
Birthdate: Sept. 10, 1953
Residence: Westfield, N.J.
Hometown: Bensonville, Ill.
Occupation: Golf Instructor
Marital Status/Children: Married/3
Hobbies: Physical fitness, bone fishing and family vacations

On the Course:
Home Golf Course: Hyatt Hills Golf Course, Clark, N.J.
Collegiate Golf Experience: Illinois State University
Strongest Part of Game: Mental side of the game
Favorite Club: Putter
Dream Foursome: His dad and two sons

More About Gary Ostrega: Growing up on the southside of Chicago, Gary played a variety of sports before focusing on golf. His desire to succeed in golf came to a head when he was 15 and lost to a group of "privileged kids." A year-and-a-half later he beat those same kids to win the Illinois High School State Championship.

At Illinois State, Gary captained a team that included longtime PGA Tour pro D.A. Weibring and earned All-American honors. After college, he worked as a bartender and played money matches in the Chicago area. He saved enough money to go to Florida and played some mini-tour events. He finished second in the first tournament he played and likes to say he has been "parlaying" that money ever since.

Gary made it through the PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament on his third attempt and played on Tour from 1977-79. In his early years on Tour, money was tight and he would sleep in his car to conserve funds.

After losing his card, he became a golf teacher and played on various tours. A career highlight was competing in the 2004 U.S. Senior Open where his son, Geoffrey, caddied for him. He is also a lifelong friend of fellow "Big Break VI" contestant Charlie Gibson.

Source: The Golf Channel; used with permission