Walker Campbell is pumped up for the Latin America Amateur Championship, which starts today in Panama.

The Bermuda golfer has spent countless hours sharpening his skills in preparation for the event, and is determined to do the island proud at the Club de Golf de Panama.

“I have been practising really hard this fall at the College of William and Mary for our golf season and in preparation for this tournament,” Campbell said.

“This is by far the biggest and most respectable tournament I have competed in, so my goal is just to perform to the best of my ability each day and represent Bermuda in the most reputable way possible.”

The 18-year-old made his debut in the tournament last year at Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic, where he failed to make the cut by 11 strokes.

“The tournament last year was such an amazing learning experience,” Campbell said. “With how good the field was and the calibre of the event, I was just looking to learn as much as I could.

“With the experience I learnt from last year I feel really good about competing in it again.”

Also competing for Bermuda is seasoned amateur Jarryd Dillas who is making his third appearance at the championship.

The 31-year-old also competed at the previous championship where he failed to make the cut by a single stroke.

At stake in Panama is a spot at this year’s Masters Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club.

The Latin America Amateur Championship was founded three years ago by the Masters Tournament, the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews and the United States Golf Association, to help grow the game of golf in South and Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean.

Invitations for the event are sent to the leading players from the 29 IOC-recognised countries and territories from the Latin American region that are members of the International Golf Federation.

Each country is automatically provided with two spots in the field, which are to be filled by their best-ranked players from the World Amateur Golf Ranking.

n Camiko Smith carded a one-over-par 73 during yesterday’s second round of the Latin American Tour qualifier at Sebring, Florida.

After 36 holes the Bermudian professional is tied for 89th at five-over-par, 149.

Smith endured fluctuating fortunes at the par 72, Don Dyer-designed Deer Run Golf Course at Sun N’ Lake Golf Club.

He got off to a flying start, rolling in three birdies to make the turn at three under par for the round, one over for the tournament.

However, Smith’s fortunes took a turn for the worst coming in as he carded two double bogeys and two bogeys to fall off the pace. TJ Vogel, of the US, leads the field by one shot at the halfway stage of the tournament.