In the year since winning his first major championship, Michael Campbell’s friendly, engaging personality has not changed. It surfaced recently in a fashion typical of the New Zealand golf star while he worked with swing guru Jonathan Yarwood at the Members Golf Club of The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota just prior to The Masters.
As competitors in the club championship showed up to play one morning, the reigning U.S. Open champion was waiting for them. Not only did he tell the surprised group how much he enjoyed the Tour-quality conditions and hospitality of Tom Fazio-designed Members Club, the charismatic Kiwi staged his own impromptu, 35-minute clinic, asking them what he could do that would help them later in the tournament.
"He talked a lot about what helped him hold up under the gun at the U.S. Open Championship against Tiger Woods," said Head Golf Professional Glen Murray, who coordinated Campbell’s visit and told members to arrive early "for a special presentation."
Campbell, who also signed autographs and took photos with the group, might have thought about asking a few questions himself, since one of the players was member Arlene McKitrick, a 1-handicap from Long Boat Key, Fla., who added the inaugural Members Club title to an illustrious amateur career that now includes a total of 79 club championship victories. The men’s winner was Richard Hackel, of Dyer, Ind.
Of course, all the players in the tournament felt like winners – once they got over the shock of seeing Campbell on the tee, that is.
Contact:
Karen Moraghan
Hunter Public Relations — Special Events
11 West Fox Hill Road
Long Valley, NJ 07853
Tel: (908) 876-5100
Email: kmoraghan@hunter-pr.com
