CHIP SHOTS WITH DAVID OUSTED
Vancouver Whitecaps goalkeeper David Ousted absolutely loves to play golf, but these days it’s tough to fi nd the time. In addition to his busy schedule with the Whitecaps, Ousted has his hands full at home. He and his wife Maria have a two- year- old dau
The Sun’s Brad Ziemer.
Q: So with the new additions to the family, how diffi cult is it to fi nd time to squeeze in some golf?
A: I don’t play as much as I used to. My golf career was fl ying until I had kids. I don’t have the time I used to, but I still get out once in a while with a couple of guys from the team. Q: When did you start playing golf and who got you into the game?
A: It was my brother who got me into the game at about age 14. We just thought it was fun knocking the ball around and we really got into it. My father plays a lot as well, so every time I am home or if they are over here we always manage to get a couple of rounds in. Q: What is it about the game that you particularly enjoy?
A: I think it’s the perfectionist in me that enjoys it. No matter how good you do there’s always something you could do better. It’s just fun to try and play that perfect round. Q; Tell us a little bit about your game. If you are playing well, what do you shoot?
A: Last year with the guys I shot even- par at Northlands in North Vancouver. That is probably my best round. Q: Have you got an all- time favourite course that you have played?
A: I would have to say Valderrama in Spain. That was a fantastic experience. In North America, I really enjoyed Wolf Creek in Las Vegas. Q: You are forced to throw your body in front of a lot of balls on the football pitch. Have you ever been hit by an errant golf ball? A Actually, I have. I was putting on the green and suddenly it felt like I had been punched in the shoulder. It was a ball. Nobody yelled fore, but a moment later a nice elderly man came up to me and said he was very, very sorry and that he didn’t see where the ball went. I told him it was right there next to me. Q: Tell me about golf in Denmark. How popular is it?
A: It’s defi nitely an up- andcoming sport. We have got a lot of good courses in Denmark. And we have some guys on the European Tour doing really well. Q: Everybody thinks Thomas Bjorn when it comes to Danish golf. But there are some other very good younger players from your country, right?
A: Thomas is defi nitely the guy everybody knows and is still a very good player, but guys like Thorbjorn Olesen and Lucas Bjerregaard are both great players coming up. Q: You play a team game, obviously, although goalkeeper is a unique position. Do you like the solitary aspect of golf and the fact that it’s just you and the golf ball?
A: Yes, I do. There’s no one else you can blame. It’s all about you and your ability.