History was made a little less than two weeks ago as Tate Skiba of Alpena broke a longstanding, 30-year-old record at Lee’s Miniature Golf on June 2.

Skiba shot an unbelievable score of 32 on the 18-hole course to beat the previous record of 34 set by John Readie back in 1986.

“It was a great feeling to break the record. I have been gunning for this record for a long time and it was almost a relief that I finally got it. It’s been within the last five years or so that I really have started to look towards the record. I’ve felt like I had the game to do it for about that long, it has just been a matter of waiting for the right round,” Skiba said.

Things really just started out as a nice competitive day on the course for Skiba and his friends. During a warm up round, Skiba didn’t even break 40, but things started to go his way and eventually fell into place during his second round.

Skiba started out with four consecutive hole-in-ones and began to get fired up, knowing that he may have a special round in the works.

“I aced the first four holes and started to get excited because I thought I had something good going, though I never gave a whole lot of thought to the record on the front nine because it was early and anything could happen,” Skiba said.

On hole number eight, Skiba shot a three which was rare for him on that hole. From there he rattled off a couple of twos on the next holes and aced holes 11 and 12. It was at that point that Skiba knew he had something special going.

Along with his skill of the game and getting some fortunate breaks, Skiba also credits his record breaking performance to his knowledge of the course.

“I’ve probably got about as much knowledge of this course as anyone around. I grew up playing at Lee’s ever since I could walk with my dad and grandparents. Ever since high school that has been my favorite activity for my friends and I,” Skiba said.

For breaking the record, Skiba received nothing more than a high five, a few hugs, handshakes and eternal bragging rights. There is a good chance the new record-holder will get his photo put on the wall next to the other polaroid pictures for everyone to see.

The previous record stood for roughly three decades and it will be interesting to see how long Skiba’s record stands.

“I don’t really know how long it could last. I got a lucky break or two shooting a 32 and it would take a few more for anyone to beat that, but I’m sure eventually everything will go right for someone. It’s great to be the one who now has given everyone a hard number to shoot at and if they play as much as I have, it might be within their reach,” Skiba said.

Jonny Zawacki can be reached via email at jzawacki@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5690.