Teeing off against some of the world’s best amateur golfers and playing at the top NCAA college level in the United States next year has got Walker Campbell’s adrenalin pumping.

A year that promises much for the 17-year-old starts at January’s Latin America Amateur Championship in the Dominican Republic.

Campbell, who is in his senior year at Hilton Head Preparatory School in Hilton Head, South Carolina, is up for the challenge.

“The Latin American Amateur Championship is a great opportunity for me to test my game against some of the world’s best amateur golfers,” he said. “This will be my biggest tournament to date and I’m really excited for the opportunity to represent Bermuda on an international stage at this prestigious event.”

Also flying Bermuda’s flag in the Dominican Republic is top amateur Jarryd Dillas.

There will be a lot at stake for the local pair as the winner of the championship receives an invitation to the Masters, the Amateur Championship, the US Amateur and any other United States Golf Association event for which they are qualified apart from the US Open.

The winner and runner-up gain entry to international final qualifying for the Open and final stage qualifying for the US Open.

Campbell is also excited about the opportunity to showcase his skills at the NCAA Division I level, having already signed a National Letter of Intent at the College of William & Mary in Virginia.

“I’m looking forward to this next stage in my life and enjoying all the opportunities that come with attending college,” he said.

“I’ve worked really hard throughout high school so it feels great to have found a school such as the College of William & Mary where I can pursue both my academic and athletic goals.

“I’m really excited to take my game to the next level and play golf on a team. I’ve worked really hard to develop my game to the point where I am good enough to compete at the top division of collegiate golf.”

This year has proven to be a breakout one for the golfer who has won multiple tournaments, playing both at home and abroad.

He won the Bermuda Amateur Match Play Championship in March and then followed that success up with further victories in the US to earn a place on the All-Region and All-State Teams for the South Carolina Independent School Association.

“I have been training in the United States since August 2013 with my coach Tim Cooke out of Sea Pines Resort in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina,” Campbell said.

“In March everything just clicked and I won the Bermuda Amateur Match Play Championship when I was home on my spring break.

“I was playing really well that week and since that time my game has been really solid.

“When I returned to the US after that week, I won my next event two weeks later followed by another victory in June at the Jimmy Self Invitational in South Carolina, where I shot my best score to date of five-under par for the tournament.

“Since then I have continued to play well finishing in the top three in a number of other events.”