Mount Vernon News

CENTERBURG — Overcoming is a common theme among nearly all athletic teams. Overcoming a bad play, overcoming a bad game or overcoming a poor round of golf are just a few examples teams must do every season. It is also something that Centerburg High School senior David Osborne has had to do his entire life.

Osborne, a member of the Trojans boys golf squad, has overcome several obstacles in order to live a “normal” life. He was born with scoliosis and arthrogryposis. Scoliosis — a condition that involves complex curvature of the spine — and arthrogryposis — a rare congenital disorder that causes multiple joint contractures — had Osborne in and out of the hospital in the early portion of his life.

“I had two surgeries for my scoliosis,” said Osborne. “They did spinal fusions to basically keep my back from bending anymore. The first time, they put metal rods in my back. The second time, they took one of my ribs, cut it up and put it in my back. The first surgery was when I was about two and the last one was when I was in second grade.”

Growing up with such potentially debilitating medical conditions was not easy for Osborne, but he didn’t let it stop him. He tried to be as active as any other child his age, leading to his love of golf.

“There were times when kids would talk about me, but I am an only child, so I spent a lot of time with my family,” Osborne said. “It was rough, but I’ve always been raised by my family to be a normal kid and everyone has always treated me that way. They supported me in everything I did. I don’t really look at myself too differently. I always knew I was different, but I don’t treat myself differently. I keep doing everything.

“I was always playing something when I was little. I always wanted to play football, but I wasn’t allowed because of the rods in my back,” said Osborne. “Really, no one in my family golfs. I have a couple of uncles that play, but I’ve never played with them. I had an old golf club at the house one day and I started playing with it. That was it. I just kept going.”

Playing golf for the Trojans is a big accomplishment even if Osborne doesn’t want to admit it. Centerburg coach Nathan Altizer has watched as Osborne grew and matured, treating him just like the other members of the team.

“He doesn’t want to be treated any differently,” said Altizer. “He feels he is on an even level with everybody else on the team. He has earned the respect to be treated that way. He was given the option to use a pull cart, but he wanted to carry his clubs just like everyone else. There is no special treatment and that’s how he prefers it to be.”

On the course, Osborne is reminded of his physical ailments each time out. He tries to forget about them and use the game of golf as a refuge, however.

“I have pain caused by it — in my knees and my back — but I just block it out and go out and play,” said Osborne. “I don’t really think about what’s wrong with me when I’m out there. I just focus on every shot and try to stay focused on the game. I just want to have fun. The more I think about it, the more it takes my focus away so I try not to think about it.”

Growing up in a small town like Centerburg has been a blessing for Osborne. No matter where he goes, he sees a smiling face, and nearly everyone knows his name.

“I like it,” Osborne said. “Everyone knows all about me, but I have a really tight knit group of friends. I know everybody so it has been really fun.”

Osborne’s upbeat attitude has been a welcomed addition to the Trojans’ squad.

“He is awesome. He is such a great asset for our team,” said Altizer. “He has been a great senior leader this year and the guys do look up to him. I think they acknowledge what he’s went through and really respect him for that. It has been great to see him come through what he has had to go through and get to where he is at.”

“I always go into stuff feeling like I can do it,” Osborne said. “I never put myself in position where I can’t do anything. Sometimes looking back, I don’t know if it is surprise or having a sense of accomplishment.”

Getting to know Osborne has been a lift for his teammates and friends. They are aware of all he has dealt with and the hardships he has faced.

“I don’t look at myself as being any better than anybody else or doing anything more than anyone else,” Osborne said. “I think people look at me as an inspiration. My friends admire it.”

“The team respects what he has had to go through and treated him well,” said Altizer. “I’ve never had anybody look down on him. It is really inspiring what he has had to go through. It carries over to everybody on the team.

“We are a very close group. We’ve been that way for a few years, especially the last four years he has been on the team. It has helped our bond. We are definitely a close knit group.”

Osborne plays the No. 5 spot for the Trojans the majority of the time. While most consider the better golfers to be teeing off first, Osborne relishes his role on the team. Coming into the clubhouse, he knows what he has to do to help his team win.

“A lot of times there is more pressure,” said Osborne. “Last year’s sectionals was like that. It came down to my score, and it has been like that this year. I can tell by the way the guys are acting when I am coming in on 18. I can tell what is going on. It puts pressure on me, but I kind of like it.”

“He enjoys that spot,” said Altizer. “He is the one who got us out last year. I think he relishes the role of team leader. He has really come through under pressure. He is always going to have that score that we can use. Even at the sectional, his score was the tiebreaker that won us the sectional.

“I really look up to him. I told him at the start of the year, ‘You’re going to be my anchorman, and I’m looking for you to be that senior leader out there.’ He’s the guy that I can count on to come in with a solid score. It may not be the best, but I can count on him.”

Osborne, like most seniors, is looking forward to graduation in the spring. He plans on going to college and wasting little time getting there.

“I just want to go to college and get on with my career,” said Osborne. “I am looking at engineering or maybe a science field. ... I’ve thought about doing something (medical) school related, but I don’t know if I can handle another 12 years of school.”

As far as Osborne’s immediate future, Centerburg teed off this morning in the Division III District at Cumberland Trail Golf Course in Etna. After winning the sectional, the Trojans have high hopes.

“The past few years, we’ve had some ups and downs, but right now, we are playing good,” said Osborne. “I try to focus on every shot and make a good score. I don’t want to get ahead of myself. This is a blast. I’m having fun just going out and playing golf.”

Altizer said, “We are going into district with a better attitude. Last year, we were just happy to be there. This year, the last two tournaments we’ve played in, we’ve won. We have confidence going in that we can win this. I think we will be disappointed if we don’t come out and give ourselves a good shot at getting to state.”