Golf: Michael Campbell given a regal ranking

By MONIQUE DEVEREUX

When golfer Michael Campbell teed off in the final round of the British Masters early today he did so with regal status.

Ranked No 12 in the world, Campbell was made an officer of the NZ Order of Merit in the Queen's Birthday honours list.

Last night, Michael's father Tom said the family was incredibly proud.

"He's done himself proud and of course done really well for his country, which is what these awards are all about," he said.

The honour came out of the blue and his golfing son was "a bit taken aback" to hear of his success.

Other sporting identities honoured include New Zealand's most successful softball coach, 60-year-old Mike Walsh, who was also made an officer of the NZ Order of Merit.

The former Wellington rep, who lives in Lower Hutt, coached the New Zealand men's team from 1981 to 1997, winning the world series twice, plus two silver medals.

And after being called in to help revive a struggling national women's team in 1998, he immediately turned their fortunes around as they qualified for the Olympics in Sydney last year.

Kerry Ashby, Bill Baillie, Alan Stevens, Graham Burgess, Trevor Flint, Andy Leslie and Jim Wright are now members of the NZ Order of Merit for their respective services to rowing, athletics (twice), cricket, table tennis, rugby and horse trials.

Ashby has been involved in rowing at school, club, provincial, national and international levels over the past 50 years. He won silver at the 1954 Empire Games in Vancouver, having already competed in the 1950 Empire Games and the 1952 Olympics.

Baillie, nicknamed the Iron Man, represented New Zealand at both Olympic and Commonwealth Games from 1958 to 1966, finishing sixth in the 5000m at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.

In August 1963, Baillie became world record holder for the 20,000 metres - and went on to set a world record for a distance run in one hour.

Stevens was honoured for his long service to athletics, including 40 years work with the Wellington Scottish club. He is the only New Zealander to be elected an honorary vice-president and life member of Blackheath harriers of London.

Burgess was a driving force when limited-overs cricket was introduced to New Zealand in 1965.

He has been involved in cricket administration for 45 years and is the patron of the Cornwall club, which he helped establish in 1955.

Burgess also works with the Plunket Society and has served as president of the Tamaki RSA.

Flint, of Christchurch, is president of the Canterbury Table Tennis Association.

He was the first person appointed NZ director of coaching.

Former All Blacks captain Leslie, who played 34 games for his country, including 10 tests, from 1974 to 1976, is active in coaching, administration and commentating in Wellington.

Ohinewai's Jim Wright has been a selector of national equestrian eventing teams since 1983 - including teams that have won medals at the Olympic Games, world championships and the Badminton horse trials.