When Joplin High School senior Fielding Campbell signed his letter of intent on Tuesday to play golf at Missouri Southern, he made sure to publicly thank the man who first got him involved in the sport he now loves.
“When I was six years old, my grandpa (Denis Desmond) signed me up for junior golf,” Campbell said. “He would sign me up every year. And he would take me out every morning at 7:30 so we could go out and play together. He’s the reason I have a passion for golf.”
Campbell, who is currently a member of the Joplin boys basketball team, also thanked his family members.
“They push me to get better,” he said.
So why Missouri Southern?
“Missouri Southern seemed like a perfect fit for me,” Campbell said. “I’ll be close to home. I just wanted to have the opportunity to have my family be able to come out and support me. And Southern practices at my home course, so I thought that would be a nice advantage for me. I’m thankful that Missouri Southern is giving me an opportunity at the next level. I’m very excited to be a Lion.”
Missouri Southern’s golf team is led by head coach Mike Wheeler.
Campbell is a two-time state qualifier and a past district champion for Jack Pace’s Eagles. Campbell juggles both golf and baseball during the spring.
“I thought I’d have to choose and it was going to be a very difficult decision because I’ve played both my whole life,” Campbell said. “But Coach Pace asked me if I wanted to do both. And I said, ‘definitely.’ So I have to thank him.”
At times, Campbell plays in a golf tournament and then heads to baseball practice or a game later in the same day.
“It can get tough,” Campbell said. “But it’s a lot of fun. I really enjoy both sports and I’m excited to do it again this year.”
As a sophomore, Campbell was the co-medalist at the district tournament, leading the Eagles to the team title.
That same year Campbell finished sixth at the sectional with a 75 and then took 60th at the Class 4 state golf tournament with a two-day total of 166. Campbell also competed at state as a freshman, finishing 74th with a 165.
Campbell hones his skills during the summer by competing in a number of Southwest Missouri Jr. Golf Association events.
After his junior season was wiped out to the coronavirus, Campbell said he’s looking forward to the spring season.
“I want to be an all-state golfer this year,” Campbell said. “That’s the goal.”
