quick 18
Na Caprice
handicap: 28
club: mallow plant
Former Irish Rugby international Anna Caprice may have retired, but her competitive edge is as strong as ever and she is determined to keep it.
He goes back to her roots and devotes her free time to her golf.
A member of Mallow Golf Club from an early age, she rediscovered her love for the game and was a pro-am at last week’s ISPS Handa World Invitational with fellow Cork sporting legends Valerie Mulcahy and singer Bressey. After teaming up, I decided to keep swinging. .
The former UL Bohemians, Richmond Women, Harlequins, Ireland and Barbarians No 8 believes golf is the game to fill the competitive void in her post-rugby life.
1 How is your golf?
I played pro-am at the ISPS Handa World Invitational last week and wish I could have played a little better. I played a lot of golf in Mallow as a girl, but it was superseded by other sports, so now I’m just getting back into golf. Rusty is probably the best way to describe it. However, after retiring from rugby, he turned to golf to fill that competitive void.
2 What made you start playing games?
My mother is a tennis coach and Mallow Golf Club is a tennis and golf club in one, so I can be a joint member. It was through tennis that I fell in love with golf and made some great friends who spent the summer playing golf with friends.
3 Choose your weapon: screwdriver or putter?
Putting is a little better at the moment, but I’ll use a driver. We look forward to restoring good relations with our drivers. Because we love our drivers. I’m definitely stronger now than when I started playing golf as a kid, and I’m looking forward to seeing it on the golf course. Used my drive a few times on the scramble in Galgoum and it was really good.
4 Links or Parks?
Well, I never played Lynx. When I was younger it was all about playing for North Cork so until I feel a bit more confident I will be away from the rink for now. I’ve heard so many great things about Ballybunion and Kinsale’s Old Head that I’d love to play those links one day.
5 When was the happiest moment on the golf course?
When I was a kid, I spent summers in Mallow playing with a gang of friends. I spent all summer playing, laughing and having fun with one of my best friend’s girlfriends, Kate. It’s so great for kids. I used to play two rounds a day just to stay out all day away from my phone and screens. Have lunch and return for another round. We spent a wonderful summer day there.
6 Who is your sports hero?
There were many. I have always been a rugby fanatic and when I was a kid I only saw male rugby players so I looked up to Paul O’Connell, Axel Foley, Peter Stringer and the Munster heroes. But in other sports, so did Serena, Venus Williams and Sonia O’Sullivan from Cork.
7 Name an opponent you particularly admire.
I have played in the English Premiership for a long time and there were many players I looked up to. Since 2017 England has been a rugby powerhouse. I played with a lot of great players, but players like Amy Turner and Sarah Hunter were great and I really looked up to them, other Irish players like Cliodhna Moloney and Edel McMahon, I loved playing against them.
8 How about playing golf?
ambition?
It was a great day at Galgoum, but every bad shot made me mad, so even after retiring from rugby, I still have that competitive spirit. That’s why I want to continue playing rugby as a coach and leader, but I also want to be able to fill that gap with golf. Spending the day playing golf with friends is also very nice. So I want to grow as a player and be better than when I was younger.
9 Name your dream fourball and name the venue.
Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin. Does David Attenborough play golf? I brought him in and then I brought in former Irish captain and teammate Ciara Griffin. I haven’t seen her enough, but she’s come in handy on the golf course.
10 If you could change one thing about women’s rugby, what would it be?
I would like to see equal participation in the men’s and women’s games.it’s not going to
It happens overnight,
Hopefully we can see it someday.
11. If I were to mulligan in your career, what would it be?
I want to become a professional player. It wasn’t an option when I started. I know the Irish girl has a pro contract, but I wish there was a pro league because Ireland doesn’t have one yet.
12 If you could only play one more round, where would you be?
If it’s not Mallow, I’d have to say St Andrews’ Old Course. It looks beautiful and special.
13 What is your favorite par 3?
16th Mallow Quarry. I remember my first round of golf. I remember hitting shots along the ground a few feet in front of me. Then he came in 16th and was wondering how on earth he could avoid the quarries. However, surprisingly, the ball flew straight and landed on the green. So it’s the 16th.
14 If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be?
Don’t worry about what other people think.In many cases
I am very confident and outspoken, but sometimes I can be too reserved and worry
Too much about what other people think instead of just doing it.
15 What do you like most?
valuable property?
Mallow’s collection of rugby jerseys, then UL Boys, the first Munster Under 18 jerseys, Richmond, Harlequins, Gloucester and, of course, Ireland and Barbarians. I hold them all. I might frame it and hang it on my wall.
16 If you can change
Something about your golf, what is it?
my iron play When I was younger, I always hoped to land on the first cut in the rough. So I want to have more confidence from the middle of the fairway with my irons.
17 Who is your favorite golfer of all time?
When I met Tiger Woods
He was very young when he came to Waterville for the unveiling of the Payne Stewart statue. Since then I have been following him all the time. But Padraig Harrington, who grew up as a sport-obsessed young Irishman, made a huge impact on the game of golf in Ireland. And now it’s lovely to see Leona Maguire out there.
admiration and respect
For her, as I had for Padraic growing up.
18 what do you think
perfect happiness?
I sang songs at the pub with my friends. And if you’re drinking from a trophy, even better!
