By Neville Idour

Queenstown golf professional Ben Campbell is on the road to recovery after a very difficult last two years injury-wise. 

Early in 2017 his runner-up to Michael Hendry, in a thrilling playoff at the New Zealand Open, signalled Campbell had arrived. Then in early 2018 he won the New Zealand PGA Championship and followed a tie with Ernie Els for third at the Fiji International and a close second at the Bangladesh Open.

Campbell, 28, recalls how the injury developed.

“After a long flight in May, 2018, I was stretching and felt a twinge in my lower back and hip. 

“After many scans it showed a tear in a disc in my lower back and also a labrum tear in my hip. 

“Despite the injury coming and going I managed to keep it under control for most of 2018, which overall was a great season, including securing my Asian Tour card.”

Things got tougher in 2019 with a tie for fifth at the Perth Super6 early in the year a rare highlight. The best in five events in Asia was a 35th placing. 

“It really started bothering me,’’ Campbell continued.

“I would have some great pain-free days and then wake up hardly able to get out of bed.

“I tried everything to avoid needing an operation. However, after support from doctors and physios an operation was the only choice. On December 18 I had a hip operation to fix the tear and give my hip a greater range of motion, which would take pressure off the back and hopefully allow the tear in my back to heal.

“Since then it has been a pretty long recovery but everything is on track for a return to golf later in the year. I still have full status on the Asian and PGA of Australasia tours, so when I am back to full health I can return to them. Some of the more lucrative Asian events are co-sanctioned with the European Tour, which is good.”

Campbell, formerly from Wairarapa, has used his time wisely during the last almost five months. 

“I knew it would be a long recovery, so I started my bridging course to become a qualified NZPGA coach,’’ he said. 

“It takes one to two years so I thought it would be great to have after my playing career ends.”

With the current world situation it may be some months before he can rejoin the Asian Tour. However, he is happy to be able to give lessons at Arrowtown Golf Club near Queenstown and pass on his knowledge to people in the area.

As far as hitting a golf ball goes he says: “I have been restricted to my short game and putting while I recover. It has also been time well spent working with my physio and gym trainer. I am hoping to be playing competitively again by the time we are coming out of winter. So I am looking forward to clarification of when the Australasian and Asian tours are to restart.”

Campbell was hoping his latest medical procedure, a cortisone injection in his back, will be the last he needs as he works toward a full recovery. A recent duck shooting trip also provided a welcome diversion.

Campbell concludes with a note of gratitude.

“I am privileged to have such amazing sponsors in Queenstown – Ultimate Hikes (Davies family) and also the Edwards family. 

“They have been a big driver of my success over the last few years and played a major part in my moving here. They are there in the good times and the tough times. We are very fortunate to have many amazing golf courses here and I am very lucky to call Millbrook my home course.” 

It is difficult not to wish Campbell every success in the future.