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SOUTHAMPTON, Bermuda – Camiko Smith’s childhood home adjoins the fourth hole at Port Royal GC, home to this week’s Bermuda Championship.
“I actually jump over a fence, and I’m right,” Smith said. “I used to get expelled for doing that.”
This week, the Bermuda native will literally stick him in his backyard.
Earlier this month, Smith won a Bermuda qualifier – with five hits – to earn his first career PGA TOUR this week at Port Royal GC. Michael Sims and Anthony Phipps also passed from the local qualification.
For Smith, 35, marks a memorable achievement in a persistent and persistent career.
The eight-year-old professional has kept his dream through various sources of income: professional assistant, separate lessons, mini-tour earnings.
For the past four months he has worked for a Bermuda-based glass company, Commercial Glass & Aluminum.
“Basically installing doors, windows, storm shelters, various things like that,” Smith said. “Put mirrors in people’s homes and commercial buildings.
“I play golf and work with glass. I guess it’s touch-and-go at times. I have to be very, very cautious, but it has definitely helped me along the way, keeping my passion and driving alive. “
A typical day for Smith: going to the gym at 4 am. Full working day at Commercial Glass, 7:00 am to 4:30 pm. After hitting the balls, “keep my swing free”
Smith expressed appreciation to his manager for providing two weeks of vacation to prepare for and compete in the Bermuda qualifiers.
“I told him, ‘Hey, look if I come in, another two weeks off.'”
Two total rounds of 1 under at Port Royal, five less than second place.
“He called me and said, ‘You have another two weeks off, here you go.’ He is quite enthusiastic about it. “
As Smith sails into Port Royal this week – starting at 1:35 pm on Thursday with Ben Taylor and Seth Reeves, at number 10 – he will be tapping into childhood memories.
He remembers when he was 5, he saw family friends hitting golf balls in his backyard – Port Royal’s fourth hole – and was intrigued. At the age of 9, he walked into the Port Royal caddy shop and “basically said, ‘Hey, boy, can I get a golf club?'”
That guy, Teddy Greaves, provided a club for you to try. Later it was access to the field, access to the course, play together on weekends.
“A lot of gratitude to him,” Smith said of Greaves. “(Without him), I probably wouldn’t be sitting here right now.”
At the same time, Smith honed his home game.
“7:00, 8:00 at night, basically I’d be on the green under the street lights, putting, chipping, hitting balls. Put a flashlight on a flag, hit it with the balls, hit it. It’s right there, man. No. 4 is my backyard. “
Under the tutelage of Greaves, Smith constantly improved. In 2013, while working at Bermuda’s Belmont Hills GC, he turned pro. He continued to work for a while, accumulating savings.
Eventually, Smith traveled to Florida, working with Fred Griffin at the Grand Cypress Academy and practicing at North Shore GC. He then migrated to Dallas, working with Carlos Brown at Hackberry Creek CC.
Last February, Smith flew from Dallas to Bermuda for a par 3 event at Turtle Hill GC.
So, the break.
“He threw everyone a wrench,” Smith said.
Smith remained in Bermuda during the hiatus and began working at Commercial Glass while preparing for the Bermuda Championship qualifiers.
Next year, he plans to spend time between Orlando and Dallas while competing on the Advocates Pro Golf Association Tour (APGA).
However life unfolds, he will forever appreciate this week.
“Having him on my island, on my home course, right in my neighborhood, front yard, backyard, is super exciting,” Smith said. “I can’t wait to make everyone proud. Make me proud, and my family and the island proud. “
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