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Bob Charles (golfer)

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Sir Robert James "Bob" Charles KNZM CBE (born March 14, 1936) is one of the world’s greatest left handed golfers, winner of more than 70 titles and first lefty to win one of golf’s Majors.

Born in Carterton, a small town in the Wairarapa district on New Zealand’s North Island, Charles lived in Masterton where he worked as a bank teller and demonstrated great golfing potential.

He caused a sensation on November 8 1954 when as an 18 year old amateur he beat a top international field to win the New Zealand Open at Heretaunga.

The media was full of praise for this slight young man who equalled the open record of 280, and there were many predictions for an imminent venture in the professional ranks and a lucrative career.

Charles decided to hone his skills as an amateur first, and remained is his bank employment for a further six years, but all the while continued to show exceptional putting prowess which helped immensely later on the professional circuits. He represented New Zealand several times in international amateur tournaments during this period.

He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1999.

Contents

[edit] Joined the pro ranks

He turned professional in 1960 and the next year won the New Zealand PGA Championship and soon after ventured overseas to the European and North American circuits.

In 1962 he really came to notice when he won his first PGA Tour event in the USA, the Houston Classic. His greatest moment came the next year when he won the British Open Championship at Royal Lytham and St. Annes. After four rounds (68,72,66,71) his 277 was level with American Phil Rodgers. Demonstrating unerring putting, Charles won the 36-hole decider by eight shots.

Charles has won about 80 tournaments around the world, and has finished in the top five countless times. As well as his important PGA victories, his win in the 1969 World Matchplay Championship was considered one of his best. He was also thrilled when in 1993 he won the Senior British Open 30 years after winning his British Open title.

[edit] Seniors tour

His move to the Senior PGA Tour (now called Champions Tour) was very lucrative and successful with 23 titles and in three years 1988, 1989 and 1993, he recorded lowest scoring average.

Charles is a sporting hero in New Zealand, not only for his achievements but also for his demeanour and philanthropy regarding junior golfers. He was also a role model worldwide for left-handed golfers. Until Canadian Mike Weir won the US Masters title in 2003, Charles was the only golfer with a left-handed swing to have won a Major.

Charles was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) from Queen Elizabeth in 1972 and advanced to Commander in the same Order in 1992. He became Sir Bob Charles in 1999 when made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Charles married his wife Verity in 1962 and they have two children, Beverly (b.1966) and David (b. 1968). David is a golf director in the US. Charles is a successful golf course designer having had major input into the Formosa Country Club in North Shore City, Millbrook at the resort town of Queenstown, and the nine-hole course at Matarangi on the Coromandel Peninsula.

[edit] PGA Tour wins

Major championship is shown in bold.

[edit] Australasia wins

[edit] Other wins

[edit] Champions Tour wins

[edit] Other senior wins

  • 1986 Mazda Championship (with by Amy Alcott)
  • 1987 Mauna Lani Invitational
  • 1988 Fuji Electric Grandslam, 1st National Bank Classic
  • 1989 Fuji Electric Grandslam, Senior British Open
  • 1990 Fuji Electric Grandslam, Kintetsu Home Senior, Daikyo Senior Invitational
  • 1991 Kintetsu Home Senior
  • 1993 Senior British Open
  • 1998 Office Depot Father and Son Challenge (with son David)

[edit] Results in major championships

Tournament 1958 1959
The Masters CUT DNP
U.S. Open DNP DNP
The Open Championship CUT DNP
PGA Championship DNP DNP
Tournament 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969
The Masters DNP DNP T25 T15 T40 T45 CUT CUT 19 T29
U.S. Open DNP DNP DNP T19 3 CUT CUT CUT T7 CUT
The Open Championship DNP CUT 5 1 T17 CUT T37 CUT T2 2
PGA Championship DNP DNP DNP T13 T19 T41 DNP DNP T2 T35
Tournament 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979
The Masters 17 CUT T22 T29 CUT CUT DNP DNP DNP DNP
U.S. Open T3 T13 CUT 11 CUT DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
The Open Championship T13 T18 T15 T7 CUT T12 CUT T43 T48 T10
PGA Championship T26 T13 T58 DNP T73 DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
Tournament 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989
The Masters DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
U.S. Open DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
The Open Championship T60 T35 CUT DNP T47 WD T19 DNP T20 DNP
PGA Championship DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
Tournament 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
The Masters DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
U.S. Open DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
The Open Championship CUT DNP DNP DNP CUT CUT 71 DNP DNP CUT
PGA Championship DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
Tournament 2000 2001
The Masters DNP DNP
U.S. Open DNP DNP
The Open Championship CUT CUT
PGA Championship DNP DNP

DNP = Did not play
WD = Withdrew
CUT = missed the half-way cut
"T" indicates a tie for a place
Green background for wins. Yellow background for top-10

[edit] See also

no:Bob Charles sv:Bob Charles

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