Eve Muirhead, Top curler who has potential

to been a top golfer 

FROM THE LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITEPitlochry's Eve Muirhead, playing in the Pro Am with Kylie Walker at the Aberdeen Ladies Scottish Open at Archerfield Links this past week, is a keen golfer, as well as being skip of Team GB women’s curling team. She won the Highland Women's Open twice over her home course,  reached the last 16 of the British girls championship when it was played at Monifieth and has played for Perth and Kinross at county golf level, so she is no novice at golf.

Born into a curling family, she represented Team GB at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games but also plays off a handicap of three and had to choose between golf and curling as a career. Here the 20-year-old Scot reveals the differences and similarities between the two games.

How did you get involved in golf?
I suppose when we moved up to Blair Athol when I was about eight-ish. We’re only a minute walk from the golf course. It’s only a nine-hole golf course. My dad played quite a bit and we’d go down and have a shot. We played more and more and then you get hooked on to it. As soon as the curling started it kind of took a back seat.
Are you a member of a golf club?
Yes: Pitlochry. The nine-hole course is Blair Athol and I live literally an eight-iron from it. I’m a member at both but Pitlochry’s my home club.
Do you live nearer to the curling rink or the golf course?

The golf course! Pitlochry ice rink has actually shut down now, the last few years, so Perth is my closest ice rink now. I’m much closer to a golf course.

How did you enjoy the golf today?
I really, really enjoyed that, today. It was great fun. Kylie is such a nice person as well and it makes such a difference when you play with nice people. It was good and personally, it makes it much better for myself when I was playing not too bad. I was hitting the ball well, which made a difference.
What would you have been around in?
Three over, maybe. I was unlucky at 16 but it’s one of those things. The way the format is, you can afford to, because you take your pro’s score at that hole. I think it’s a good format and it makes it good for the amateurs. It’s good fun.
How much of a break are you having from curling?
I’m having quite a break. I just got back two days ago from a two-week holiday, which I didn’t really think would help my golf game but I’m having a bit of a break. I decided this week and would enjoy this and then next week, that’s when I really start training a lot. We go away mid September to our first competition abroad.
What does your training involve?
For curling we do a lot of strength and conditioning work. I suppose you could look at that for stability and core strength. Also a lot of cardio work, CV work. Curling’s one of those sports that over the last few years has really adapted to kind of the fitness side. All the countries are doing that now. You could say, ‘well, why do you need to be fit to curl, just to sweep the ice?’ and this kind of thing, but I suppose the more physically fit you are the more mentally fit you are and it definitely does help you.
How long ago did that start?
You could look at my dad, for example. He’s been to the Olympics and he’s been to the World Championships and his warm up was a cup of coffee at the most, if you know what I mean! There was nothing at all during the summer and it’s all purely winter but now they’re really adapting to, for me anyway, being a full time athlete. You train full time, if you know what I mean, but obviously you only get curling ice in the winter so it definitely helps. Nowadays if you look at the shape of the teams and what they’re like, you’ve got to keep up.
Are you funded full time on a long-term basis?
After we won, we were guaranteed until September and I don’t need to go and get a job anyway. I’ve got enough to keep going, so it’s fine.
Who are you funded through?
UK Sport.
Is that through to the next Winter Olympics?
That’s not been clarified. With them being four years away we’ve still got to produce medals to produce our funding. We’re going to have to go out next year and perform well and get medals at Europeans and worlds for our funding to continue. You never know whether it will be a three year cycle or a two years cycle. The chances are it will be two years but you never know, they might start the Olympic cycle next year and then you’ll get everything you need. I think if we have a good year this year, then they can’t say no to the funding, if you know what I mean. We just need results really.
How close was it between curling and golf?
It was quite close. Curling did definitely take it, because you get the opportunity to go to the Olympics and stuff. I knew I was an average golfer, if you know what I mean. I’d go out and have good days and sometimes be a bit ropey. To be a professional golfer, I know how much hard work it is and what it takes. You see them out here on the range, like there’s a girl out there practising now after her round. It takes so much and it is such a hard sport. Curling, I’m quite fortunate to have it in my family and I’ve got so much support for it so that did take advantage.
If you had to find a job, what would you choose to do?
I’ve absolutely no idea at all. I’ve not been to uni, because I went straight into full time curling. If I wanted to do something I’m sure I could get something in my sport, like a development officer. There would be something available but I’m just hoping it doesn’t come to that. I definitely can’t see myself doing a nine to five office job anyway.
What’s the nicest place you’ve ever curled?
For me it would be in Canada. After hockey, curling is the biggest sport in Canada and you go to a wee bonspiel and the place is packed. Look at the Olympics. You’re in the stadium, a 10,000 seat stadium and every seat is filled. You go out there and everyone knows who you are. Everyone knows who I am in Canada and it’s quite, kind of, scary in a way. You’re walking around and it’s ‘Oh, can I get your autograph?’
Are you more famous there than in Scotland?
Probably, yeah. Half and half I would say because curling’s so big but since the Olympics it has taken off here as well.
Have you ever thought of emigrating to Canada or basing yourself there?
It is definitely something that’s in my mind because, as you know, players make a living out of it in Canada, because the prize funds are so good, but you’ve got to be a top team to make it. It’s a bit like golf; if you’re not a top player you don’t win the money. You’ve got to win to get the money. It’s definitely there but I think we’ve got quite a few good competitions in Europe and I don’t think I would.
What’s the best shot you played today?
I was driving well, actually. I didn’t miss any fairways, I don’t think. I had a few slack putts which I find, because I’ve not been playing a lot, your short game. I was hitting my irons well and my longer irons well.
Are you coached by anyone?
No.
Do you ever hit putt that’s short and think about shouting ‘sweep’?
My caddie, Annie (Laird), who I curl with, it was like an iron shot and I hit it and she’s like, ‘sweep, sweep.’ I was like, ‘oh, God.’ I suppose in curling you have control over what you do.
In what way would curling be good for golf or golf be good for curling?
You could look at the putting aspect. Golf is quite tactical in a way and curling is very tactical. I suppose putting, you’ve got to read the greens, you’ve got to read the ice in curling and you’ve got to know how much it swings in golf.
Do you read long putts well?
I wouldn’t say that. I maybe should but I wouldn’t say I do. The biggest difference is curling being a team sport and golf being an individual sport. In curling you’ve got your team to support you, but golf you’re there on your own.
Would you like to play golf for Scotland one day? Winnie Shaw played tennis and golf for Scotland.
I definitely wouldn’t say no, if you know what I mean. It would definitely be an aspiration for me to do that. It’s hard to say though, with me doing all my curling, you think that you’ve left it too late for your golf and I’m happy just being a good club player, getting invited to the likes of this and all the celebrity days, like Steve Cram’s I was at the other week. To represent Scotland at two sports would be something special.
You’ve got time on your side, don’t you?
Exactly, I do. I just turned 20. I think you’ve got to be good young and build yourself up. You do get people that come through at 30-odd and do it, so who knows.