Shortly after winning the U.S. Open in 2005, Michael Campbell received a telephone call from Jack Nicklaus. He congratulated the New Zealander on his first major championship victory (beating none other than Tiger Woods into second place) and added that he now had a responsibility to give something back to the game, to teach others what he had learned.
That poignant message has remained a cornerstone of Campbell’s life ever since, and especially so since he retired from competitive play four years ago and set up his eponymous golfing academy at Villa Padierna – and, more recently, a second one at Calanova.
Speaking in Marbella at the official launch of an elite student coaching and education programme he wil be running in conjunction with The American College, Campbell (who turned 48 on 23 February) said, “I’ve been a professional golfer since I was 21, I’ve accumulated 26 years of experience and I feel responsible to pass that on to the game of golf on all levels.
“This programme represents a depth of important ingredients for students to become great in this sport. But it’s not just about swinging the club: it’s about mentoring, learning experiences along the way, nutrition, time management, course management – it’s all holistic.
“It’s a wonderful platform for these kids to hopefully fulfil their dreams in golf but most importantly it’s a great synergy between the college and myself. We both share the same values, of fulfilling people’s dreams, whether it be as a golfer, footballer, tennis player, artist or musician. It’s all about guiding these students in the right direction. All they need is help, and we have a fully qualified staff and all the technology already at the academy.”
Scheduled to begin in September, the Michael Campbell Golf College course has been designed for golfers seeking to become professional players at the same time as working towards a university degree.
The golf college currently has capacity for up to 20 students, and priority will be given to potential candidates from the local area. “My philosophy in life is that where you live you look after people in that area,” said Campbell. “The same with charity. I do a lot of charity work in this area because I believe in giving back to the community, to the society where you live.”
Pictured: Marbella Town Hall councillor Manuel Morales López; The American College in Spain campus director Melissa Butler: Michael Campbell with a replica of the U.S. Open Trophy; and Lynn Mitchell from the Costa del Sol Tourist Board.
