Currently out due to injury, Colin Shaw has a chat with the Warriors' official e-zine.

"He's a Mongrel." No. Colin Shaw isn't talking about his latest opponent on the field. He's actually talking about the new addition to his household, two year old Zak.

"I really wanted a dog, and then I saw Zak at a rescue centre and thought he was really cute so decided to give him a home.

"It's good to get out in the fresh air and go walking with the dog. I usually take him to the park near the house, but at weekends, I take him a bit further a-field to somewhere a bit more spacious for him to run around."

Colin is no stranger to getting a bit of fresh air. Or long walks for that matter. It turns out, the Warriors fullback and Scotland 7s star has just recently become a member of the prestigious Royal Troon Golf Club.

"I've been a junior member since I was 12 but only got into the senior section about four months ago.

"I was actually very lucky to get an interview for a senior membership. Luckily, it turns out the guy who eventually interviewed me was a mad rugby fan so we just sat and chatted about the Warriors and my time with the Scotland 7s squad. It must've done the trick."

And the burning question… his handicap is a very respectable 14, which he hastens to add "isn't bad for Royal Troon!"

So has he challenged Max Evans, who is a PGA qualified professional golfer? "I played against Max at the Pinheiros Altos resort on Portugal. Max's dad is the director of golf there. I didn't win, but Max is a fantastic golfer."

Currently out due to injury, Shaw is definitely putting the extra time on his hands to good use.

"I'm currently doing a college course in sports psychology. I have the time on my hands and it looked really interesting. It definitely keeps me busy during the quiet evenings."

This article was posted on 19-Dec-2007, 19:21 by Hugh Barrow.