Rugby union may be the game they play in heaven, but former
Wallabies captain George Gregan says golf gives the 15-man game a run for its
money.

Especially when it allows a Rugby World Cup-winning
scrumhalf some unforgettable experiences in retirement.

After a decorated career that delivered six Bledisloe Cup
victories and 1999 World Cup glory, Gregan’s on-course highlights include
caddying for Michael Campbell during the Wednesday Par-3 Tournament at The
Masters, and meeting Tiger Woods on Pebble Beach’s practice fairway at the US
Open – both in the same year.

Most recently, the 43-year-old was taken to another setting
that could be mistaken as heaven – Natadola Bayin Fiji.

Gregan was there as a PGA of Australia ambassador for the
Fiji International. The 139-Test veteran and several members of Fiji’s Olympic
gold medal-winning Rugby Sevens side conducted a junior rugby clinic during the
tournament.

"The Fiji International was a great week," says Gregan. "The
people were beautiful, the event is great and Natadola Bay is just magical.

"Fiji is such a beautiful place to show off and then we had
the gold medal-winning men’s team for a rugby clinic, we did some great things.
Growing the game of golf in Fiji is a long-term play.

"Vijay Singh said it was great to have a European Tour
co-sanctioned event here because now Fijians can be inspired to pick up a club
by a star like this year’s winner Brandt Snedeker or (2015 Champion) Matt
Kuchar."

Getting The Golf Bug

As a young Aussie of Zimbabwean heritage – who grew up
playing the 15-man code in Canberra – Gregan was introduced to the game of golf
while on holidays overseas.

"I got the bug when I was about 11 years of age," says
Gregan. "I was in Zimbabwe with my cousin and he introduced me to golf. We
played his local course and I hit a 7-iron over water to a par-3. I cleared the
water and landed on the green and I thought, this is a cool game.

"That was it, I was absolutely hooked."

When he wasn’t on the football field, Gregan couldn’t get
enough of hitting a much smaller ball around the tree-lined, hilly fairways of
Federal.

"I grew up in Canberra. It was a year or two after my cousin
gave me the golf bug that I joined Federal Golf Club. It was a great course to
grow my love of the game."

As the domestic and international career of one of the most
decorated Wallabies blossomed, so did his golf game. The wiry halfback found
golf to be a great escape from the monotony of hotel rooms around the world –
and the spotlight of rugby’s Test arena.

"During my playing days, golf was a great way to get out of
the hotel on a training-free day and help prepare for a Test with a really nice
distraction," recalls Gregan. "I was lucky enough to experience courses in
South Africa, the UK and Europe, New Zealand and South America. It was also a
bit of competition with my teammates that we all enjoyed and bonded over."

Golf also played a small role in keeping the Wallabies
vice-captain relaxed during one of his greatest accomplishments – the 1999
Rugby World Cup victory, particularly leading up to the final against France.

"We had a base in Dublin during the ’99 World Cup, so of
course I had to play Old Portmarnock," says Gregan. "I love traditional
links, so I loved Portmarnock.

"It’s a very special course with a huge history and I actually
really enjoyed the weather. When it’s raining or windy and cold, that’s golf at
its ultimate."

A Coffee Empire

George Gregan officially retired from rugby union in 2011 as
one of the most recognisable faces in the sport’s history. Hanging up the boots
on an era that included two Super 12 (now Super Rugby) titles allowed Gregan to
tackle his other passion – barista made coffee.

He and wife Erica founded the Sydney-based Gregan Group,
which has grown to 16 cafes, as well as wine bars, bistros and a thriving
catering business. But, of course, there’s also more time to play his favourite
courses.

"Now that I don’t play a heavy collision sport, golf is a
way to compete without banging into someone that’s 40 kilograms heavier than
you," says Gregan. "Like any sport, there’s always something you can improve on
and I love that about golf.

"I’ve played Royal Melbourne and some of the Sandbelt
courses, but Barnbougle and Lost Farm would be my favourites. I also love the
old Coolum course because I used to go up there to play the Pro-Am when Peter
Lonard was at his best.

"Golf is a great game. Once you get the golf bug, it stays
with you for life. And if you’re pretty good at it and you don’t mind competing
you can travel the world with it."