We walked to Sofia's backyard, at the centre of which a pool caught the spring sun.

[alpacinou]

If a pool shimmers under the sun, can I say it 'caught the sun'? Is this okay?

We walked to Sofia's backyard, at the centre of which a pool caught the spring sun.

 

[Tarheel]

Perhaps:

The pool reflected the bright sunlight of midday.

I think "caught the sun" could work in the right context.

Forgetting my manners, I did stare as the sun shone off of her golden hair.

 

[emsr2d2]

Forgetting my manners, I did stare as the sun shine off of her golden hair.

@Tarheel I think you meant "shone", not "shine".
For info for learners, BrE teachers discourage learners from using "off of". We would teach just "off" in that sentence.

 

[Rover_KE]

For further info for learners, American English-speakers often use 'yard' where British English-speakers would say 'garden', so 'backyard' in this context would be 'back garden' to us.

 

[Tarheel]

Americans would only call it a garden if there was something growing besides just grass. There are two kinds -- a vegetable garden and a flower garden.