1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,547 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,747 Speaker 1: from Newstalk ZEDB. 3 00:00:12,627 --> 00:00:15,907 Speaker 2: It's an Asia Pacific Championship at Royal Wellington Golf Club 4 00:00:15,947 --> 00:00:18,907 Speaker 2: comes up in the middle of this month. Nine kiwis 5 00:00:18,947 --> 00:00:21,987 Speaker 2: in the field, including Caitlin Maurice, who's currently our fifth 6 00:00:22,027 --> 00:00:25,187 Speaker 2: ranked New Zealand female amateur golfer. She's with us, Caitlin, 7 00:00:25,187 --> 00:00:26,827 Speaker 2: thanks for joining us. How much you're looking forward to 8 00:00:26,867 --> 00:00:29,187 Speaker 2: being part of this tournament on home soil in a 9 00:00:29,227 --> 00:00:30,227 Speaker 2: couple of weeks from now. 10 00:00:30,827 --> 00:00:33,667 Speaker 3: Yeah, I'm absolutely so excited to get back to New 11 00:00:33,707 --> 00:00:35,627 Speaker 3: Zealand and be able to play around home soil in 12 00:00:35,667 --> 00:00:38,667 Speaker 3: front of family and friends. And no, it's such a 13 00:00:38,707 --> 00:00:40,947 Speaker 3: cool event and I'm glad that Roal Wellington's able to 14 00:00:40,947 --> 00:00:41,347 Speaker 3: host it. 15 00:00:41,627 --> 00:00:44,987 Speaker 2: How big a motivator is the chance to earn entry 16 00:00:45,027 --> 00:00:48,387 Speaker 2: into three major championships by winning this tournament? 17 00:00:49,987 --> 00:00:51,027 Speaker 4: Yeah, I mean it's massive. 18 00:00:51,067 --> 00:00:53,747 Speaker 3: It's hard to start a career and this is just 19 00:00:53,787 --> 00:00:58,747 Speaker 3: a massive kickstart. Just so many prestigious events you get 20 00:00:58,747 --> 00:01:01,027 Speaker 3: to get into. So no, it's very very special. 21 00:01:01,427 --> 00:01:05,267 Speaker 2: Now you're from Todonga but you're currently studying and playing 22 00:01:05,307 --> 00:01:09,707 Speaker 2: at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. How close 23 00:01:09,747 --> 00:01:12,427 Speaker 2: are you to the iconic Saint Andrew's golf course? 24 00:01:12,507 --> 00:01:13,547 Speaker 5: Is it just right there? 25 00:01:14,787 --> 00:01:14,987 Speaker 4: Yeah? 26 00:01:15,067 --> 00:01:21,507 Speaker 3: No, super lucky, probably like what two hundred meters away driver, Yeah, 27 00:01:20,787 --> 00:01:23,827 Speaker 3: a little bit less, no, very a couple of streets 28 00:01:23,867 --> 00:01:26,547 Speaker 3: over so very special, you know, the daily walks to 29 00:01:26,627 --> 00:01:28,027 Speaker 3: class and everything is just. 30 00:01:29,427 --> 00:01:31,387 Speaker 4: Down past the eighteenth. 31 00:01:31,547 --> 00:01:34,467 Speaker 2: Tell us about your golf journey, Caitlin, you know where 32 00:01:34,507 --> 00:01:37,347 Speaker 2: did it begin and how is it lead to where 33 00:01:37,347 --> 00:01:37,987 Speaker 2: you are now? 34 00:01:39,707 --> 00:01:43,147 Speaker 3: Yeah, so it kind of began Omkerorol Golf Club. That's 35 00:01:43,147 --> 00:01:45,507 Speaker 3: where I did junior golf and everything. My dad was 36 00:01:45,507 --> 00:01:49,067 Speaker 3: involved with the club, and then moved into TOTNNGA, played 37 00:01:49,067 --> 00:01:54,027 Speaker 3: some pennance through the Bay ranks, following the footsteps of 38 00:01:54,187 --> 00:01:56,627 Speaker 3: the older Bay golfers, and headed off to the US 39 00:01:56,667 --> 00:01:59,387 Speaker 3: on a full golf scholarship, which was just such a 40 00:01:59,387 --> 00:02:01,667 Speaker 3: great opportunity for four years over there. They have it 41 00:02:01,747 --> 00:02:05,507 Speaker 3: set up so well and great support. Loved my time, 42 00:02:05,547 --> 00:02:08,307 Speaker 3: and then just saw this opportunity kind of come up 43 00:02:08,387 --> 00:02:11,947 Speaker 3: over in San Andrews and I kind of reached out 44 00:02:11,987 --> 00:02:13,747 Speaker 3: to the coach and applied to the school and it 45 00:02:13,827 --> 00:02:17,307 Speaker 3: just kind of all happened crazily enough, wasn't really expected 46 00:02:17,427 --> 00:02:20,267 Speaker 3: or in the plans, but no, a very very special 47 00:02:20,787 --> 00:02:21,227 Speaker 3: year here. 48 00:02:21,627 --> 00:02:26,067 Speaker 2: So you're it was a golf decision to go to Scotland, 49 00:02:26,307 --> 00:02:28,107 Speaker 2: but I know you're studying there as well, But it 50 00:02:28,187 --> 00:02:29,667 Speaker 2: was mainly a golf decision. 51 00:02:31,067 --> 00:02:32,707 Speaker 3: I mean, it's the home of golf, so it's a 52 00:02:32,747 --> 00:02:37,107 Speaker 3: pretty special place to be golfing, but also academically it's 53 00:02:37,147 --> 00:02:39,667 Speaker 3: one of the best rank universities in the UK. So 54 00:02:39,827 --> 00:02:41,147 Speaker 3: for me, I was like, it's kind of a win 55 00:02:41,187 --> 00:02:42,147 Speaker 3: win situation there. 56 00:02:42,707 --> 00:02:45,107 Speaker 2: How different has it been playing golf in Scotland on 57 00:02:45,147 --> 00:02:48,027 Speaker 2: what I assume and mainly links courses? 58 00:02:49,347 --> 00:02:50,587 Speaker 4: Yeah, all links courses? 59 00:02:51,267 --> 00:02:54,427 Speaker 3: Well right now it's like minus five degrees and blown 60 00:02:54,587 --> 00:02:56,027 Speaker 3: like for us now, so. 61 00:02:58,067 --> 00:03:02,307 Speaker 4: Definitely different. But I just everyone loves the. 62 00:03:02,267 --> 00:03:04,587 Speaker 3: Game over here, like no matter it's like your hair 63 00:03:04,667 --> 00:03:06,187 Speaker 3: dresser or people, you mean the supermarkeel. 64 00:03:06,467 --> 00:03:08,747 Speaker 4: Everyone plays golf just for fun. So it's just such 65 00:03:08,747 --> 00:03:10,267 Speaker 4: a cool community to be a part of. 66 00:03:12,187 --> 00:03:15,627 Speaker 3: In the history here, and no, it's so special to 67 00:03:15,627 --> 00:03:17,587 Speaker 3: be able to play out here and the courses are insane. 68 00:03:18,027 --> 00:03:21,387 Speaker 2: So have you you've played sant Andrew's presumably have you 69 00:03:21,507 --> 00:03:21,827 Speaker 2: or yeah? 70 00:03:21,827 --> 00:03:23,147 Speaker 5: Are you not allowed to get on there. What's the 71 00:03:23,187 --> 00:03:24,067 Speaker 5: situation with that. 72 00:03:25,227 --> 00:03:29,307 Speaker 4: No, I've played there, pro played there like six to 73 00:03:29,387 --> 00:03:29,947 Speaker 4: eight times. 74 00:03:31,187 --> 00:03:33,507 Speaker 5: Enough, amazing, what's like? What's it like? 75 00:03:34,947 --> 00:03:35,747 Speaker 4: It's very cool. 76 00:03:35,867 --> 00:03:39,347 Speaker 3: I mean the course holds are one sixteen seventeen eighteen. 77 00:03:39,347 --> 00:03:41,707 Speaker 3: Because you're like iconic and like hitting over the hotel. 78 00:03:42,747 --> 00:03:46,587 Speaker 3: We actually played event at the old course called the 79 00:03:46,587 --> 00:03:49,107 Speaker 3: Collegiate with some schools in the US and we've got 80 00:03:49,147 --> 00:03:49,707 Speaker 3: to stay at the. 81 00:03:49,627 --> 00:03:54,107 Speaker 4: Old course hotel and that was pretty cool. Yeah. 82 00:03:54,147 --> 00:03:56,227 Speaker 3: I mean it's kind of interesting that, you know, straight 83 00:03:56,347 --> 00:03:59,307 Speaker 3: nine holes out and then straight nine holes back, so 84 00:03:59,387 --> 00:04:01,147 Speaker 3: it really depends on the wind and stuff. 85 00:04:02,387 --> 00:04:04,027 Speaker 2: So I see you had a win in the RNA 86 00:04:04,187 --> 00:04:06,947 Speaker 2: Student Tour series in Ireland and October. 87 00:04:07,107 --> 00:04:08,467 Speaker 5: How big a moment was that for you? 88 00:04:10,107 --> 00:04:10,307 Speaker 4: Yeah? 89 00:04:10,387 --> 00:04:12,227 Speaker 3: No, that was very special. Cool to do it with 90 00:04:12,267 --> 00:04:15,507 Speaker 3: my new team. Actually did it in a playoff as well, 91 00:04:15,587 --> 00:04:16,907 Speaker 3: so that's where he's you know, it gets the heart 92 00:04:16,987 --> 00:04:20,187 Speaker 3: rate going a lot more. I mean, no matter what, 93 00:04:20,227 --> 00:04:22,507 Speaker 3: you're playing, winnings hard. So it was a really big, 94 00:04:22,547 --> 00:04:27,187 Speaker 3: big confidence booster for me. Yeah, been working hard, so 95 00:04:27,227 --> 00:04:28,147 Speaker 3: it was not super cool. 96 00:04:28,307 --> 00:04:30,587 Speaker 2: Where have the big improvements come in your game since you? 97 00:04:30,787 --> 00:04:33,067 Speaker 2: I mean obviously, you know you've been playing for a 98 00:04:33,067 --> 00:04:34,627 Speaker 2: while now, but over the last I don't know, two 99 00:04:34,707 --> 00:04:36,667 Speaker 2: or three years, where have you seen the big improvements 100 00:04:36,707 --> 00:04:37,267 Speaker 2: in your game? 101 00:04:39,627 --> 00:04:41,107 Speaker 4: My experience in the US. 102 00:04:41,627 --> 00:04:43,827 Speaker 3: Had a great coach in the US, did lots of 103 00:04:43,867 --> 00:04:47,547 Speaker 3: good short game work, a lot of good mental game stuff, 104 00:04:47,787 --> 00:04:49,387 Speaker 3: and just kind of learning how to deal with the 105 00:04:49,587 --> 00:04:55,987 Speaker 3: under pressure situations better and then just enjoying it as well, 106 00:04:56,507 --> 00:04:58,347 Speaker 3: like just the love for the game. And that's what 107 00:04:58,347 --> 00:04:59,907 Speaker 3: I kind of found when I came over here is 108 00:04:59,987 --> 00:05:02,387 Speaker 3: just everyone's just so hyped to be here. It's just 109 00:05:02,587 --> 00:05:03,787 Speaker 3: hard not to be in love with it. 110 00:05:04,467 --> 00:05:07,347 Speaker 2: Well Wellington, I can't I can't say that it's minus 111 00:05:07,347 --> 00:05:10,387 Speaker 2: five degrees in Wellington, are conditioned. Will be a bit 112 00:05:10,427 --> 00:05:13,427 Speaker 2: different back here in February. But have you had the 113 00:05:13,507 --> 00:05:15,467 Speaker 2: chance to spend any time back here in New Zealand 114 00:05:15,467 --> 00:05:17,947 Speaker 2: to prepare for the conditions that you will face next 115 00:05:17,947 --> 00:05:18,707 Speaker 2: month in Wellington? 116 00:05:20,187 --> 00:05:20,387 Speaker 4: Yeah. 117 00:05:20,427 --> 00:05:21,827 Speaker 3: I was lucky to come home for like a month 118 00:05:21,947 --> 00:05:25,067 Speaker 3: or so over Christmas and played a lot at Akarana 119 00:05:25,067 --> 00:05:27,547 Speaker 3: Golf Club in Auckland and was able to get some 120 00:05:27,587 --> 00:05:29,867 Speaker 3: practicing in the sunshine and head off grass. 121 00:05:29,907 --> 00:05:31,867 Speaker 4: So no, it was super nice and kind of refresh 122 00:05:31,947 --> 00:05:33,027 Speaker 4: some family time. 123 00:05:33,707 --> 00:05:36,067 Speaker 5: And is the plan to turn professional. 124 00:05:38,307 --> 00:05:41,547 Speaker 3: We'll see how this spring season goes, but it's definitely 125 00:05:41,547 --> 00:05:42,387 Speaker 3: on the cards. 126 00:05:43,027 --> 00:05:45,387 Speaker 5: How do you make that decision? What goes into that 127 00:05:45,467 --> 00:05:46,987 Speaker 5: decision making process? 128 00:05:48,907 --> 00:05:52,067 Speaker 4: Where the games at, what opportunities are around. 129 00:05:52,187 --> 00:05:55,347 Speaker 3: I'm feeling there's Q schools that are more into the year, 130 00:05:56,067 --> 00:05:57,987 Speaker 3: and then there's so man different routes, whether you go 131 00:05:58,427 --> 00:06:01,827 Speaker 3: LT in Europe like Amelia Garvi's over there right now 132 00:06:01,867 --> 00:06:05,547 Speaker 3: doing well, or go the US way Ibsen Tour. 133 00:06:06,547 --> 00:06:08,427 Speaker 5: All right, well, that can all wait. 134 00:06:08,467 --> 00:06:11,467 Speaker 2: Your immediate point of businesses back here in New Zealand 135 00:06:11,467 --> 00:06:14,947 Speaker 2: for the upcoming Asia Pacific Amateur Championship. Kaitlin, great to 136 00:06:14,947 --> 00:06:16,747 Speaker 2: get the chance to chat to you all the best. 137 00:06:16,787 --> 00:06:18,547 Speaker 2: To look forward to seeing how you go at Royal 138 00:06:18,587 --> 00:06:19,507 Speaker 2: Wellington next month. 139 00:06:19,667 --> 00:06:21,547 Speaker 4: Yes, thank you very much, looking forward to it. 140 00:06:21,787 --> 00:06:24,387 Speaker 2: Thanks for joining us, Kaitlin. Kaitlin, Maurice there said next 141 00:06:24,387 --> 00:06:27,147 Speaker 2: month This month, isn't it? Yeah, February already the Women's 142 00:06:27,187 --> 00:06:31,307 Speaker 2: Amateur Asia Pacific Championship Royal Wellington Golf Club in the 143 00:06:31,347 --> 00:06:35,827 Speaker 2: middle of February, the weekend ending the fourteenth and fifteenth 144 00:06:35,827 --> 00:06:37,667 Speaker 2: the feb So it'll be eleventh and twelfth through to 145 00:06:37,707 --> 00:06:40,027 Speaker 2: the fifteenth, the FEB looking forward to the top amateur 146 00:06:40,027 --> 00:06:42,947 Speaker 2: golfers in the region coming together for that tournament in 147 00:06:42,987 --> 00:06:43,747 Speaker 2: a couple of weeks. 148 00:06:44,547 --> 00:06:47,747 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 149 00:06:47,867 --> 00:06:51,147 Speaker 1: to News Talk zed B weekends from midday, or follow 150 00:06:51,187 --> 00:06:52,787 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.