Post by Helen on Dec 3, 2005 20:23:07 GMT
sport.iafrica.com/golf/news/621464.htm
Dan Nicholl at Arabella
Sat, 26 Nov 2005
If you happen to be walking along Camps Bay beach this summer, and bump into a smallish man with a soft Irish lilt, playing on the sand with his kids, he may look strangely familiar. That’s because the charms of the Mother City have won over yet another celebrity: one Ronan Keating, who’s becoming a real local in Cape Town.
“We come down here with the family nearly every other year,” reveals Keating, who is back in South Africa as a celebrity player in the Nelson Mandela Invitational charity golf tournament. “The people here are so chilled out, and the climate is perfect and the water is lovely.”
Camps Bay water has rarely been described as “lovely”, but with the weather back home “absolutely miserable”, the attraction of the Cape is evident, and the Keating family are smitten. “We came down here and rented houses in Camps Bay a few times, and the kids love it, so it’s kind of a no-brainer for a family to come down.”
The Keating clan has recently grown, and with a new album on the way, the Irish star is a busy man at the moment.
“We had a baby six weeks ago, so it’s kind of been full on, and I’m in the middle of making a record, so it’s pretty busy in the Keating household at the moment,” Keating explains.
That album will be out in March next year, with the first single due for a February release, and there’s a tour on the 2006 schedule as well; thrown in the baby, and time on the golf course will be hard to come by.
“I try to get out once a week, but I haven’t been that lucky since the baby was born,” smiles Keating ruefully, who’s an acknowledged golf nut. “I would play every day if I could. I love it, and I’m getting a green built at the back of my house, that’s how bad I am. I’m a real anorak as we say back home.”
Keating’s recent golfing adventures include a spot on the European team at the All Star Cup in Wales, a celebrity-laden Ryder Cup-style event against Europe, where he saw off Michael Douglas at the 18th to seal a victory over America. “It’s the closest I’ll get to a Ryder Cup moment,” Keating says. “It was really truly fantastic, and we got very drunk afterwards. We had a great time.”
While not a great golfer (he plays off 18), Keating’s hugely enthusiastic about the game, and relishing his return to a tournament he debuted at last year. And he’s looking forward to catching up with old mate Lee Westwood, the English professional.
“We’re good friends, Lee and myself. We’ve partied a few times together socially at home, and we’ve got drunk too many times together,” Keating smiles, before expressing relief at the absence this year of flamboyant Englishman Ian Poulter. “I’m kind of glad, because my liver was in bad shape (after last year). A great couple of nights, but I was sick as a dog. I was supposed to come back rested.”
Keating’s appearance in 2004 included a musical cameo, an added bonus to an event, and his relationship with the Nelson Mandela Invitational has been strengthened by a growing bond with Gary Player.
“We took the Gary Player Invitational to Ireland this year, and the relationship really kind of sparked with this event last year. He’s incredible, he’s an inspiration, and I love being around him and hearing him talk. He’s an incredible character. I feel very lucky, so it’s very cool to be here again for another year.”
Keating has more visits on the agenda, with his tour next year including several South African stops — “maybe do a special one in one of the safari parks, kind of an acoustic thing with one of the local bands”. That remains to be confirmed; what is for certain is that Keating will be back at the Nelson Mandela Invitational next year, supporting an event he clearly relishes, in a part of the world that’s fast becoming a second home.
Dan Nicholl at Arabella
Sat, 26 Nov 2005
If you happen to be walking along Camps Bay beach this summer, and bump into a smallish man with a soft Irish lilt, playing on the sand with his kids, he may look strangely familiar. That’s because the charms of the Mother City have won over yet another celebrity: one Ronan Keating, who’s becoming a real local in Cape Town.
“We come down here with the family nearly every other year,” reveals Keating, who is back in South Africa as a celebrity player in the Nelson Mandela Invitational charity golf tournament. “The people here are so chilled out, and the climate is perfect and the water is lovely.”
Camps Bay water has rarely been described as “lovely”, but with the weather back home “absolutely miserable”, the attraction of the Cape is evident, and the Keating family are smitten. “We came down here and rented houses in Camps Bay a few times, and the kids love it, so it’s kind of a no-brainer for a family to come down.”
The Keating clan has recently grown, and with a new album on the way, the Irish star is a busy man at the moment.
“We had a baby six weeks ago, so it’s kind of been full on, and I’m in the middle of making a record, so it’s pretty busy in the Keating household at the moment,” Keating explains.
That album will be out in March next year, with the first single due for a February release, and there’s a tour on the 2006 schedule as well; thrown in the baby, and time on the golf course will be hard to come by.
“I try to get out once a week, but I haven’t been that lucky since the baby was born,” smiles Keating ruefully, who’s an acknowledged golf nut. “I would play every day if I could. I love it, and I’m getting a green built at the back of my house, that’s how bad I am. I’m a real anorak as we say back home.”
Keating’s recent golfing adventures include a spot on the European team at the All Star Cup in Wales, a celebrity-laden Ryder Cup-style event against Europe, where he saw off Michael Douglas at the 18th to seal a victory over America. “It’s the closest I’ll get to a Ryder Cup moment,” Keating says. “It was really truly fantastic, and we got very drunk afterwards. We had a great time.”
While not a great golfer (he plays off 18), Keating’s hugely enthusiastic about the game, and relishing his return to a tournament he debuted at last year. And he’s looking forward to catching up with old mate Lee Westwood, the English professional.
“We’re good friends, Lee and myself. We’ve partied a few times together socially at home, and we’ve got drunk too many times together,” Keating smiles, before expressing relief at the absence this year of flamboyant Englishman Ian Poulter. “I’m kind of glad, because my liver was in bad shape (after last year). A great couple of nights, but I was sick as a dog. I was supposed to come back rested.”
Keating’s appearance in 2004 included a musical cameo, an added bonus to an event, and his relationship with the Nelson Mandela Invitational has been strengthened by a growing bond with Gary Player.
“We took the Gary Player Invitational to Ireland this year, and the relationship really kind of sparked with this event last year. He’s incredible, he’s an inspiration, and I love being around him and hearing him talk. He’s an incredible character. I feel very lucky, so it’s very cool to be here again for another year.”
Keating has more visits on the agenda, with his tour next year including several South African stops — “maybe do a special one in one of the safari parks, kind of an acoustic thing with one of the local bands”. That remains to be confirmed; what is for certain is that Keating will be back at the Nelson Mandela Invitational next year, supporting an event he clearly relishes, in a part of the world that’s fast becoming a second home.
