Campbell visits with kids from local nonprofit school

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Chad Campbell poses with a group of first-graders from the J. Erik Jonsson Community School.
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May. 20, 2009
By John Bush, PGA TOUR Staff

PGA TOUR professional and Colleyville, Texas resident Chad Campbell had the opportunity to spend some time on Wednesday afternoon with a group of first-grade students from the J. Erik Jonsson Community School -- the PGA TOUR's Spotlight Charity of the Week and one of the beneficiaries of the HP Byron Nelson Championship.

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Campbell claims he's not nearly as good at foosball as he is at golf.

Nestled in the heart of Oak Cliff, the Community School is a nonprofit school where students from three years old through fifth grade come to achieve and be part of a community that learns. The school specializes in forging powerful relationships among teachers, students and families and, in the process, meeting the educational needs of low-income children and their families.

"It is just a pleasure to see these kids out here, guys and girls, and to see them so interested in golf," said Campbell. "I think they're having a good time out at the tournament today, and I'm enjoying getting the opportunity of spending some time with them."

After a press conference with local and national media members, Campbell took part in a 10-minute question-and-answer session with the kids. Questions posed to the four-time PGA TOUR winner included: "Did you enjoy golf before you became good at it?", "How many trophies have you won?" and "How do you hit the ball so high?"

According to Mike Murphy, the school's Director of Education, the majority of the students have recently begun golf lessons of their own in the last several weeks. So getting up close and personal with one of their idols was a dream come true for the kids.

Following the Q&A, Campbell joined the kids in some competitive games of foosball, with ping-pong and Wii games close by.

"I am the world's worst foosball player," said Campbell. "The students who played with me couldn't have had a worse partner."

Campbell's comfortable interaction with the students is a sign of things to come for him and his wife, Amy, as the two are proud parents of eight-month-old Dax Phillip.

"I love spending time with kids," said Campbell. "Watching Dax growing every day has been awesome. Amy and I just look at him and realize just how amazing being a parent is. I can't wait for him to get old enough to start playing golf himself."

The PGA TOUR has generated more than $1.4 billion in charitable contributions since its first donation in 1938. That figure wouldn't be possible without the help of tournaments like the HP Byron Nelson Championship, which has raised more than $107 million over the last 40 years to help children and families in the area. Net proceeds from the tournament support the work of Salesmanship Club Youth and Family Centers. Funds raised at the event enable SCYFC to find innovative ways to help transform children's futures and create new possibilities for success -- with the J. Erik Jonsson Community School front and center in that effort.

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