Golf: Campbell keeps promise to a mate

By BOB PEARCE

Golfer Michael Campbell revealed yesterday how a pledge he made to one of his ailing mentors will keep him coming back to the New Zealand Open, whatever more lucrative tournaments may offer.

Campbell is in Auckland for the $500,000 Telstra-Saturn event, which begins at The Grange tomorrow, despite a world ranking of 14 which could have seen him opt for richer pickings elsewhere.

The Open is special to him and he is honouring the promise he made to Grant Clements, the chief executive of New Zealand Golf, who died 18 months ago.

"I made a promise to a good friend of mine, Grant Clements, that I would play here for nothing. I would never, ever, charge appearance fees.

"I made a promise I'd be here every time, whether it means sacrificing a big tournament in the States. It doesn't matter, I'll be here."

Campbell said he understood why Frank Nobilo and Grant Waite had not returned this year and he respected their decision.

"Those guys have their own way of doing things. My way is to come home and support New Zealand golf."

Campbell said he realised the expectations of him were very high after his emotional victory in last year's Open at Paraparaumu.

"I've prepared myself mentally for probably the last two or three months.

"I've been working very hard over Christmas time, going to the gym ... and I performed well in the world matchplay. I was five under when I was beaten by a long putt."

Campbell has no qualms about playing the course where he suffered a career-threatening wrist injury in 1995.

He has worked to strengthen his wrist and has had no problems in recent years. He played a few holes on Monday evening, including the sixth where he suffered the injury.

"I stood on the tee for perhaps five or ten seconds and thought about what happened and the pain I suffered," he said. "But it was five years ago and I'm stronger now and there's no problem there whatsoever."

Campbell said he had not been a great fan of The Grange course, but was pleasantly surprised that the fairways were not as hard as they had been.

The greens were very fast and could be tricky if the sun and wind combined to dry them out.

"It's a fine golf course, but not to my advantage.

"I'm a good driver of the ball, but I used the driver only once on the first eight holes."

Comparing the Campbell of 1995 with the 2001 model, the 31-year-old emphasised his commitment to physical fitness with daily gym workouts.

He has hired a fulltime fitness instructor, a fulltime physiotherapist and chiropractor.

"I feel I have a 10-year period in which I can reach the top and maintain myself in the top echelon of players. To do that I've got to work even harder than I have in the past 18 months.

"In the gym I do basically cardio work, with 45 minutes on the bike, with my heart rate 180-190. I lift light weights, not to put on bulk but to strengthen my golf muscles."

This year he plans to play the majors in the United States.

He will also take up seven invitations to play there.

Next year, he hopes to move his base to the States and play the PGA Tour where he believes competing against the best will raise his game to another level.

That will leave seven years to accomplish his goal in golf, which is to establish himself as one of the elite in the game - someone other aspiring players look up to.

He accepts that Tiger Woods is in a class of his own, but aims that people should speak of the next level as "David Duval, Ernie Els and Michael Campbell."

Cambo's website for the fans


Want to keep up with the progress of New Zealand's leading golfer but can't make it to the US Masters? - Log on to CamboGolf.com.

Michael Campbell yesterday launched what he describes as a fun website which will be updated daily with his results, thoughts and what he is doing.

Dreamed up by his father, Tom, it also details his golfing life from the age of 13, through his eight years as a professional. It includes an audio/video of a song written for him by his grandmother six years ago.

"Basically, it's for the fans," Campbell said.

"It's giving something back to everybody and I think it's a good way of showing my appreciation to everybody for their support."

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