Final Shot

Bears and Bunkers

Geordie Lyall

is a 32-year-old Vancouver Whitecaps defender who has just started his 11th season with the soccer club. Lyall joined the Caps in 1999 from the Abbotsford 86ers reserve team and, apart from a brief spell with English club Walsall in the winter of 2006/2007, has been with the squad ever since. . Born in Toronto, Lyall moved with his family to Victoria when he was two and was raised on Vancouver Island. He now lives in False Creek ? but usually returns to Victoria during the off-season to work as a substitute teacher. One of six siblings, Lyall earned a BSc in geography at UVic in 2000, before completing an education degree at UBC in 2004. Lyall has been beset by injuries the last few years but is hoping to emulate his 2006 season, when he helped the Whitecaps win the USL First Division championship title and was nominated for the Defender of the Year award.

Vancouver Whitecaps defender

Geordie Lyall

has been spooked by a black bear on the golf course, teed it up in Saudi Arabia and has a soft spot for

Caddyshack

by John Atkinson

Where do you play? Since I?ve been in Vancouver there have been a lot of games at UBC ? and also Northlands GC on the North Shore. I also play a lot of pitch-and-putt with Oliver Heald (the former Whitecaps midfi elder). What?s your handicap and are there any other Vancouver Whitecaps who can hit a mean 6-iron? My handicap is probably a 9 or 10. Justin Thompson has just rejoined the Whitecaps (from Portland) and I think he plays, while Martin Nash is probably a 10-handicap. Justin Moose and Jay Nolly both play a bit, too and I think Todd Wawrousek (the Whitecaps? assistant coach) is also quite good. What?s the best course you?ve ever played? I?d say Bear Mountain (in Victoria). It?s obviously on a mountain and some of the views are panoramic, spanning 180 degrees. There?s almost a 270-degree view at one point. There are some tricky little holes so it?s a good challenge. What?s the strangest thing you?ve seen on a golf course? It would have to be a snoozing black bear, which was blocking the cart path between the 17th green and 18th tee at Furry Creek. When we fi nished our round, we were the last people back (to the clubhouse) and the club steward said: ?Don?t mind Yogi. He?s very friendly and has never hurt a fl y.? How far afi eld have you teed it up? I?ve played in Australia once ? near Sydney ? and also a few times in Saudi Arabia, when visiting my dad. Do you have a favourite golf movie? It?s got to be Caddyshack. I?ve watched it quite a few times. If you?re not on the soccer fi eld or golf course where would we fi nd you? Probably going for a bike ride down to the beach (along the English Bay seawall). Who would be in your dream foursome? Wayne Gretzky, John Daly and Bill Murray (Caddyshack star). Favourite golfer? It would have to be either Freddie Couples or Ernie Els. They?re both pretty classy guys ? and with those smooth, languid swings, make the game look effortless. What?s your favourite golf tournament to watch? Defi nitely The Masters. The time when Mike Weir won (2003) was a pretty sweet occasion. ?R 54 REAL GOLF | MAY. JUNE 2009 Mike McKinnell

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