Attitude the key to Campbell's success

Ask Waikanae golf coach Kevin Smith the secret behind the remarkable run of successes achieved by his star pupil, Masterton's Ben Campbell, over the past 12 months and he replies with just one word, attitude.
Smith has worked closely with Campbell for the last two years and has been hugely impressed by his level-headedness and maturity.
"Nothing seems to worry Ben too much," Smith said. "He doesn't let pressure get to him, in fact if anything he seems to thrive on it. And he plays smart golf, he knows what to do and when to do it. You could never say he was over-confident but at the same time he does rate himself, his attitude is spot on."
Smith said Campbell's game had few weaknesses although like all golfers there were times when one part of his game was not quite as strong as others. But an excellent work ethic meant that once a possible deficiency was found Campbell was prepared to work hard to eradicate it.
"It's nothing for him to hop in the car and head over the hill to get some advice, he's always looking to learn and that's what you want in a young guy."
The win by Campbell at the Aaron Baddeley junior international in China over the weekend did not come as a huge surprise to Smith, who always believed he was capable of a top placing, but his winning margin of 10 shots certainly did.
"You just don't expect tourneys like that to be won so easily, it's a pretty stunning result for Ben," he said. Obviously it was his consistency which did it, and that's become a strong point of his game too. He doesn't make any mistakes."
Smith described Campbell's golfing future as "very bright" but stopped short of predicting what it might bring. "It doesn't make sense to look too far ahead in this game but if Ben can keep making progress & yes, there could be some exciting times ahead for him."
The fact his China success gained Campbell entry in the 2009 Australian Open and next year's China PGA is seen by Smith as positive as it would allow the 17-year-old Wairarapa College student the chance to gauge himself against professional opposition.
"I guess turning professional is something Ben would like to do himself at some stage so it will be good for him to get a measuring stick of what he needs to do to compete successfully there," he said.
Campbell is not, however, the only Wairarapa golfing talented coached by Kevin Smith. He also tutors Michael Schofield, winner of the Otago senior stroke play title earlier in the year and fourth behind Campbell in the New Zealand under-23 stroke play championship, an event in which the world's top ranked amateur Danny Lee was the runner-up. They have also been teammates in the Wellington senior men's inter-provincial side.
"Michael is always capable of giving Ben a run for his money&..he's got the same sort of attitude and desire and I'd say a lot more will be heard of him too," Smith said.