Charlotte Campbell: Highway 18 & Blingos

Most know Charlotte Campbell from her recent victory, with her brother Rob, on Highway 18. As much as I loved the show, I often found myself clenching my teeth as I would watch the teams race through traffic and pre-shot routines. I knew my nerves would crumble under such circumstances.

But Charlotte handled every pressure-packed situation with a strong calmness that I admire. Now she is a professional golfer with her sights set on the LPGA. I had the chance to chat with Charlotte about golf and her sparkling Blingo ball mark business.

Tell me a little about how you started golfing.
My brother was four years older so I followed him. My mom started our girl’s high school team and we won high school states my senior year. My mom is still coaching. This will be her 12th year. I volunteer in the fall. It did so much for me growing up and this allows me to give something back.

Then Julie Garner, from Rollins College, recruited me like I was Lorena Ochoa. She really taught me how to play competitively. We made a great team.

What are your plans for 2009?
I’m playing the FUTURES Tour and the Canadian Tour. I love everyone on the FUTURES, but I want to try something else. There is plenty of time to do both. My first year on the FUTURES tour was good, but not the second. I see this as my rebuilding year. I need to get my confidence back. The show was a bit of a distraction. Of course, I am focused on Q-school, but I just take everything one week at a time.

How did Highway 18 change your life?
It was a dream come true. The cash prize allowed me to move out of my parents' house and get a nice apartment. It was also nice for my brother because he usually watches me golf on TV at his office. It was exciting to play together. Picking him as my partner was a no-brainer. It also helped my Blingo business as people googled my name for the show.
How did your Blingo business start?
I was always adding rhinestones to things in college like our logo and the swoosh on my Nike shoes. I made one for my mom’s friend and it took off from there. Everything really fell together. I think it is a combination of liking the Blingos and people wanting to help me: 100% goes to my golf game.

I make them in about 50 different colors. They are great for member-guest tournaments, junior camps, and the girls on tour like them. The cameraman from Highway 18 did my photos and my brother did the Website. I am also doing something with Blingos for the Solheim Cup.

Did you do anything special for your mom for Mother’s Day?
She lives down the road, so we see each other all the time, but I bought her a ball retriever. It was pretty funny when I bought it because people were looking at me and telling me, "you don’t need that." But we will watch the TPC together.

What course would you most like to play?
Pebble Beach

What is your favorite course that you’ve played?
Pumpkin Ridge. The U.S. Amateur was there and it was just perfect. It has a great layout.

Give me your dream foursome.
Retief Goosen, Lee Westwood and Tiger Woods.

What do you do when you are not golfing?
Blingoing my life away. I like to watch golf and do normal stuff like go to the gym. I also paint pottery.

What was the last concert you saw?
Britney Spears. My friend Tina Miller and I got tickets like a year in advance and it was amazing.

RWG’s Pick One with Charlotte

Twitter or Facebook?
Facebook

ProV1 or Callaway?
TaylorMade

Hats or visors?
Visors

Veggie or pepperoni?
Pepperoni

iPhone or Blackberry?
Old school razor, but hoping to upgrade soon.

Faldo or Miller?
I love Johnny Miller.

Paper or plastic?
Plastic

Skirts or shorts?
Shorts

Camilo or Sergio?
Sergio

Taco Bell or Chipotle?
Easy, Chipotle.

Dangly earrings while playing?
No

White belts yes or no?
No

Flip flops or heels?
Flip flops

Caddy Shack or Happy Gilmore?
Happy Gilmore

Belly putter, yes or no?
No

Should men on the PGA tour be allowed to wear shorts?
No

Would you want to play a round with John Daly?
Yes, as long as he doesn’t wear those new clothes.