IT HAS been a whirlwind couple of months for Edenhope golfer Ben Campbell.
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Campbell, 23, earned his professional tour card in January via Qualification School, and played his first tournaments as a professional across the last two weeks.
Campbell said he did not expect to enter the pro tour so quickly after returning from four-years playing college golf in the United States.
Qualification School was delayed due to the 2019 Presidents Cup being held at Royal Melbourne in December, allowing Campbell to enter the competition and stake his claim for a place on the tour.
"I graduated just before Christmas, and normally Q School is at the end of November, so I wasn't thinking of doing it. I was thinking I'd have to wait until next year," he said. "But with the changes, I decided to give it a go, just as a litmus test to see where I'm at."
Campbell passed the test with flying colours, exceeding expectations with a stellar fourth round at Moonah Links. In windy conditions along the Mornington Peninsula, Campbell shot one-under the card in the fourth round to earn his spot on the tour.
"Normally that is just an okay score, but it was pretty difficult conditions," he said. "I wasn't doing too well the first three days, but the last day I played really well and I made it with the last spot, tied for 39th.
"I think I was four shots outside the top 40 heading into the final day, then made that all up on the last day."
It began an admittedly "wild" past-month for Campbell, as he moved houses and ventured to Toowomba in Queensland for his first tournament.
"Basically since then, and between my first tournament in Queensland, it has been a real scramble," he said.
"Moving to Melbourne, doing a bit of part-time work, lining up sponsors and things like that ... it's been a bit wild."
Campbell however had a fantastic start to his professional career, making the cut firstly at Toowomba and again at the Queensland Open, earning himself a modest share of each tournament's prizemoney.
"If you make the cut as a professional, you get paid, so if you're hanging around that bubble, it can get a little nervous," Campbell said.
"It's like every shot matters. That is a little tense. But other than that I haven't been too nervous or anything like that."
It puts Campbell in a good position to flourish across his golfing career.
"I was going up (to Queensland) with no real expectations, so just to make the cut at both tournaments was good," he said.
"Now I know the standard and where I'm at, and I feel really good about it."
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