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World Cup triathlon series race winner Kris Gemmell. - Source: Photosport -
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A message on Twitter led to World Cup triathlon series race winner Kris Gemmell putting up his hand to caddie for Kiwi Ben Campbell at the NZ Open.
A Twitter message last week has led to an unusual sporting combination at the New Zealand Open golf tournament starting today at Clearwater Resort.
The tweet said leading New Zealand amateur Ben Campbell was looking for a caddie for the Open and the message prompted another well-known sportsman, triathlete Kris Gemmell to apply, and get the job.
Campbell and Gemmell were due to meet for the first time last night, and this morning Campbell will give Gemmell, the winner of the World Cup triathlon in Auckland 10 days ago, a few quick lessons in what is required.
Gemmell arrived in Christchurch yesterday afternoon and said he had already been told by another caddie what the most important thing about the job was.
"It's to keep up and shut up. I should be able to do the first all right, but I might find it hard to do the second," laughed the ebullient Gemmell, who says he has played a bit of golf through the years.
"But I haven't played for a while. By the time I've finished my training I'm too tired to go and play golf."
Campbell, who lives in Melbourne to further his golfing career, said he is not worried about having an inexperienced caddie.
"It should be great having a sportsman of his calibre there.
"It's always good to have a person competing at such a high level around."
Gemmell said the pair had had a few conversations since he got the job.
"I can tell from the way he talks that he's a talent. He's very driven.
"He's doing it the hard way, moving away from his family and going to Melbourne.
"I'm happy to be involved with any young New Zealander who is thinking like that," Gemmell said.
The pair will meet on the driving range this morning and walk the course later today in preparation for the first round tomorrow.
Campbell, 23, said he is slowly getting back to his best form after missing seven weeks during the year after an operation on a foot.
"From April to August I carried the injury and they kept telling me it was an ingrown toenail.
"But eventually they discovered it was a bone spur growing through the nail."
The injury affected Campbell's swing and he says he is only just getting it back to normal.
"I feel like I have been hitting it better in the last couple of weeks," said Campbell of his form heading into the Open.
