| 20 Questions With Canada's Derek Gillespie |
Page 2 of 4  Kim Kouwabunpat A Big Break Contestant Took Note Of Derek's Apparent 'Cockiness' DG: Ha,ha…Well, here’s how it all started. I got interviewed for the show in Edmonton at one of the Canadian Tour events. They had asked me the first time and I said no, but then Doug came out the next day and said, “This is the last chance; do you want to do it?” And I said, “Okay, sure, I’ll do it.” I was actually having a lot fo fun with it. In the interview, they asked, “What are your interests?” And I thought, “Hmmm…I do like going out with the boys, drinking beer and eating – I love food. And I’m single so…yeah, I like women as well.” <chuckle> So it came out that way, when I got the bio from Mark at The Golf Channel, I thought, “Oh man! What are people going to think? But I actually think it’s quite funny. Is it true? Yah, it is true too. GM-IG: But please tell me beer isn’t the first thing on the list. It’s gotta be the women, right? DG:<laughs> Yah, I think so, but really they were in no particular order when I said them. Those three things were just on my mind at that particular time. And they still are. GM-IG: Fellow contestant Kim Kouwabunpat said you walk around like Rico Suave sauntering to the putting green or your next shot. What do you think of the reputation you have of being a bit cocky? DG: Ha,ha…you go to this show and you don’t know anyone. I was just kind of doing my thing. You know it’s kind of an awkward situation because you are put in this setting – everything you do, you have cameras on you. Hey, I was just doing my own thing. That’s funny she said that though; I thought that was quite comical. GM-IG: Let’s talk about birdies and bogeys. What is your favorite Club in your bag? DG: It varies between two – driver and putter. I’m a great putter when I get on. And when I drive it straight, the game just comes easy to me. But, at the same time, when I play bad, it’s my driver that gets me into trouble.  Like Just About Every Golfer Derek Gillespie Dreams Of Playing Augusta National One Day DG: Yes, my driver could be my favorite club or least favorite club. But picture this…it’s that short 50-60 yard wedge shot. It just drives me crazy because it’s not my strong suit. I’m working on it, but it absolutely drives me crazy. I’m not sure it’s technique or what, but if you give me a full-shot, hammering a 60 degree, that’s fine. But it’s those in between yardages with any club…at that time, it is that club that is my least favorite. GM-IG: Favorite course you’ve played? DG: That’s a good question...I think there are a couple. The National in Toronto is one of my favorites, just because it is so difficult, day in and day out. It’s so fair, but so hard. Also, I played the U.S. Amateur at Pebble Beach and Spy Glass in 2000, and both of them were incredible. Those three stick out in my mind more than any others. GM-IG: Is there a course you haven’t played yet, that you are just dying to play? DG: Everyone would love to play Augusta. On TV you don’t really see all the undulations and how hilly it really is. I’ve heard that when you are there walking it, it is extremely hilly. So I think it would be cool to play it and see how hard some of those shots are, that those guys play. |
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