Campbell Live

He’s a New Zealand sporting hero but Michael Campbell’s greatest pride and joy is his family.

Words & photographs: Jonny Watson 

Michael Campbell at home with wife, Julie.

We are sitting in the office at Michael Campbell’s home in Brighton, England. From his broad grin to his flip-flops he’s the very model of good humour, despite the fact that a TV crew, photographer and assorted strangers are trampling through his beautiful house. Mementoes of his success are everywhere. Trophies, cups and framed photos line the walls, while on the floor is a pair of trainers signed by his boyhood hero, Michael Jordan. Campbell was so inspired by Jordan that he named his second son after him.

Undoubtedly the highlight of Cambo’s career to date has been last year’s US Open triumph and in pride of place on his desk is the three-quarter-sized replica of the famous trophy. "Obviously I was delighted to win my first major but actually how I won is more impressive than anything else," he says. He has a point. A tenacious Tiger Woods pushed him all the way on a devilishly tough course. Lesser players might have choked, but not Michael. "It was amazing how the last nine holes unfolded, but deep down inside I felt I was ready to win. Last year was my time." Woods’ caddie Steve Williams, himself a Kiwi, described Cambo’s win as "the single greatest sporting moment in New Zealand history".

Michael has come a long way since he started out, caddying for his dad on the nine-hole municipal course in Wellington’s Titahi Bay. So what was it like returning home after such a success? "We went back to New Zealand for 10 days for a homecoming tour and they tried to prepare me mentally for it, but I had no idea. I hadn’t been back in a long time and I didn’t realize the effect I’d had on all these people. Everyone knew where they were when I won the US Open. To me that’s quite a powerful thing," he says, still trying to get his head around it.

"There’s a real knock-on effect from one success and I felt that when I was back in New Zealand. The reason I went home was to try to promote the game. I went back to where I was born, a village with a population of 1000, and it was so nice to share the success with my people and my friends and family. I’m the first Maori to win the trophy. I feel I’m like a messenger – telling them that if you’re willing to make sacrifices and dig in deep when things are hard, anything’s possible."

Asked about how he feels being away from his homeland for so much of the time, Michael says: "I miss the culture. That’s why you see a lot of stuff around here – in my office and in my rooms – a lot of Kiwiana. My family is still there too, but I knew from the word go that I had to make sacrifices. I knew that if I was going to turn pro one day it would mean breaking away.

"You say to yourself you’ve got to start travelling so you won’t see your family as often. So before it all started I said to myself these things are going to happen, so just accept it. I was probably 18 when I realized I had something special. It was scary, but my mum and dad were very supportive although my friends didn’t understand me and my vision. But I had this passion for golf and I knew there was something more out there in the big wide world. A lot of people realize that but they don’t grasp it."

Having made that leap and reaped the rewards, Michael is keen to give something back to the community where he grew up. He recently announced the launch of the Michael Campbell Foundation, set up to help young people in the Wellington area. "It’s so nice to have the capacity to help people. The Foundation is funded by many different things. My winnings from the New Zealand Open go straight to the Foundation." Money also goes to several other organizations, including women’s refuges and Ronald McDonald House, a facility opposite Wellington Hospital where the parents of sick children can stay.

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