Campbell gets lift from Audi Championship success

Fabian Campbell, the 2011 Audi National Amateur golf champion, has been buoyed by the sterling effort which saw him turn back several top players to claim the crown at the Caymanas Golf and Country Club on Monday.

Campbell shot 75, 74 and 77 (226) to take the title, while fending off some stiff competition.

In fact, Lindy Bartley missed the title of champion by a single stroke, and took the men's category with scores of 69, 81, 77 for a total of 227.

Last year's champion, Radcliff Knibbs, finished second on 230 and Matthew Smith third with 231 strokes.

"It has made me better," Campbell said of winning the title.

"It was great playing with some of the more experienced players, you learn a lot from them. Not just controlling your ball on the green, but controlling yourself emotionally as well. I saw them hit bad shots, hit the ball into the water and they were able to compose themselves, recover and come back with good shots after that," Campbell told The Gleaner.

"In terms of my preparation, it was OK. Mr Robert Levy from Jamaica Broilers Group was key in that. I had a little bit of trouble on the green because I was not used to them, so I got in trouble on a few of my putts," he added.

Rory Jardine topped the Seniors category with 240 (84, 81, 75) strokes, two shots ahead of Wayne Chai Chong 242 (83, 79, 80), and Robin Chin finished third.

holding off the competition

In the Super Seniors category, Gordon Hutchinson held off the competition to finish on top. He closed the championship on 233, three strokes ahead of veteran golfer Dennis Atkinson (236), while Fred Sutherland finished one stroke behind in third (237).

Defending women's champion, Jodi Barrow, proved her mettle by successfully defending her title with rounds of 76, 74, 78 (228).

Campbell will now turn his attention to the National Trials which are expected to take place from 16th-19th of this month.

"I feel good, I am feeling really, really confident," he said. "I feel like I have a chance to win it, all I need to do is prepare myself a little better this time around."

Nett winners: Men's - (1) Sean Morris (218), (2) John O'Donoghue (218); Seniors - Peter Chin (222); Super Seniors - Maurice Foster (220); Women's - Michele Gabay (261).

- Kwesi Mugisa