Golf: Campbell plays with locals in honour of uncle

New Zealand's No 1 golfer, Michael Campbell, was playing for toasters and blenders yesterday at a small-town tournament held in honour of a deceased uncle who did plenty to shape his career.

Campbell was given the honour of being the first to tee off among the field of 208 locals who competed in the Patea Golf Club's Roger Rei Memorial.

Rei, a former freezing worker and trucking contractor, was a club stalwart and won its open title 28 times, represented Taranaki for many years and was once Maori golfer of the year.

When Rei died of cancer last year, aged 66, Campbell, with whom he had played from childhood, was unable to attend the funeral.

Yesterday was a family-oriented day and a chance to make amends.

On offer for the best round of 18 holes was "pick of the table," first choice of a range of houseware supplied by sponsors Briscoes.

Virtually all entries were in before anyone heard that Campbell, world No 29 and fresh from a $72,500 second placing at the New Zealand Open, was playing the boxthorn-lined course that follows the seaside clifftops in the South Taranaki town.