Campbell is teeing up a career in golf
Blair youngster’s top show at Euro contest in Spain
It’s a tournament where the likes of Luke Donald, Justin Rose and Danny Willett have previously competed.
And now one Perthshire golfer is planning to tee-up a career in the game after an impressive display at the Junior European Open, held recently in Spain.
Campbell Gibson (17), a Blairgowrie Golf Club member, qualified for the prestigious event at Longhirst Hall in Northumberland before travelling abroad and finishing 15th in the under-18 category.
The Glenalmond College student carded rounds of 80, 76 and 72 in testing weather conditions to place highly among a field of some of Europe’s most talented young golfers.
Turning professional is the aim and Campbell told the Perthshire Advertiser: “I got off to a slow start with very poor putting displays in the first two rounds.
“But a bit of time spent on the practice green allowed me to make corrections and I was able to improve on that over the next two days.
“In tough wet and windy conditions, I was playing really well and it definitely gives me the confidence to know what I can do and where I need to improve to get to where I want to be and able to compete at a high level.
“Some very talented players took part, all of them were at least the top two from qualifier venues in England, France, Germany, Spain, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. In the conditions generally the scoring was quite good.
“I played with some good players during the week and definitely was not out of place. It was good for me to watch them and take in just what separated me from them on the day.
“As most young golfers would say, turning professional and competing in events at the highest level is the end goal.
“For the time being my plans will hopefully lead me stateside to join my brother Andrew who is currently in his freshman year playing golf at a top university and we will see how far my golf will take me.”
Campbell jetted out to America earlier this month to spend time in Houston, Texas where Andrew is currently on a golf scholarship.
The trip across the pond is by no means a holiday, however, with practice and competitions scheduled in the diary.
“This winter I will be spending
Local golfer Campbell Gibson impressed with a solid performance in Spain Christmas in Houston, in order to continue working hard and see my brother as well,” said Campbell, who finished tied third at the high-profile St Andrews Boys Open earlier this year.
“I will be playing a couple of good events in Texas and looking to improve physically as well as technically.
“For 2017 I would like to be playing in more national events and I will be focusing on just how I play and being patient, letting results come.”
Witnessing the rise to fame of fellow Blairgowrie member Bradley Neil, who recently secured a 31st place finish on the European Tour, gives Campbell added inspiration.
“Seeing players such as Bradley Neil having such success as an amateur and now starting to show his quality in the professional stage, it helps you picture what you can achieve with hard work and support,” he said.