Michael Campbell may be US Open champion, but he no longer holds the course record at his beloved Titahi Golf Club in Porirua.
Club champion Ngamanu Clay displaced Titahi Bay's favourite son last Sunday when he fired a sizzling seven-under-par 61 to break Campbell's 20-year record by one shot.
"Iwas aware of it, hard-out. I've been trying to go for it for the last year," Clay, 20, said. "I've only met him (Campbell) once, but it means a lot to beat his record. It's been up there for a while now."
Campbell's card and that of co-holder Andrew Grant have held pride of place in a framed case on the clubroom walls since Christmas Eve 1985.
Clay, who lives with parents Wally and Rama down the road from the club, may be stepping in famous footsteps, but wasn't getting carried away with his success.
"Yeah, I haven't really been in any teams for a while. For the last two years I've been pretty much just working, making house frames. I haven't had as much time for golf," he said. "It doesn't pay the bills."
A talented junior, Clay has represented Wellington's age grade teams. He plays interclub for Titahi Bay and has a previous best round of five-under-par 63.
In a quirk of fate, the three-handicapper and two-time club champion bettered Cambo's mark in the same Christmas tournament.
Campbell's father, Tom, who was playing on Sunday, said he had mixed emotions.
"Am I sad? Yes and no. It was an ideal day, but Ngamanu is a very good player. I've got no problem with his card going up on the wall with the others."
His son had not been told yet that his record was gone. "I think I will say to him just that he has to come back and have a go at it now. That was the first thing that entered my mind.
"I think he will probably sort of think about it. He was 16, so it was 20 years ago."
He said the course generally played easier at this time of year. "There are some par-fours you can reach, 1, 2, 3, and 4, maybe six even, so you can shoot some scores.
"It's dry and the hole positions are good in the summer time because we get a bit more friendly with the pin positions."
