Bella Campos '23 Recruiting Profile

Hi I’m Bella, I’m sixteen years old. This past week, I shot a 66 in my High School (ILH) season tournament and won first place. I can’t wait until Monday, when I can play again in another tournament and given another chance to improve. My handicap is currently at a +1.0. 

Here’s a little about how I got here. My dad and sister inspired me to start golf when I was in 7th grade at 13 years old. Prior to this, I was an avid and dedicated volleyball player.   The first time I tried to hit the ball, I missed.  My first good contact (who knows how many attempts it took)  I realized I was hooked and wanted to try out for my junior-high golf team. In my first tournament, I shot a 156. I was bullied by a seasoned girl and told to never come back, to quit golf, and that I was an embarrassment.  This hurt. But it made me stronger. It ignited the fighter in me to push harder and devote myself to learning everything I could about the game.

Golf challenges me more than anything I have done in the past.   I have to be mentally strong to succeed and physically fit to compete.  In my opinion, golf is a game of a tenacious and creative mindset, mechanical agility, poise, and constant refinement. So, I practice. I practice every day. Back then, I was 13 years old and just starting; I wanted to someday beat my father, who is a 0 handicap and my older sister who is a +4.7 handicap (and now playing in college.) My father has taught me to respect and appreciate the learning process. 

Fast forward to 2021 and I’m a sophomore now. We had to skip playing for most of last year due to covid, but I practice as much as I can to keep improving and achieving my goals and dreams.   I once watched Justin Thomas play and win at The Sony Open. I was there. I was sitting on my knees on the side of the green amongst a herd of spectators. I guess I looked really engaged and awestruck, because after he made his birdie putt, he grabbed his ball and walked straight to me in the crowd and handed me his ball. This small moment in time (where he singled me out) has made me feel special, more determined, and destined to excel in golf.

I love this sport; it is my dream to play in college and beyond.  I love that i can play this game for the rest of my life.