Who's who: Bob Charles

  • Torrey Pines - South course, host of the Farmers Insurance Open
  • Prince's GC, England
  • Torrey Pines - South course, host of the Farmers Insurance Open
  • Terras da Comporta, Dunas
  • Monte Rei G&CC
  • Marco Simone GC (Italy); host of the Ryder Cup 2023
  • Pebble Beach host of the US Open; US Women's Open; Pebble Beach Pro-Am
  • Marco Simone GC

Who's who: Bob Charles

  • Name:

    Robert James "Bob" Charles
  • Country:

    New Zealand
  • Born:

    March 14, 1936 in Carterton, Wellington Region, North Island, NZ.
  • Original/Home Club:

    Carterton, NZ
  • Occupation:

    Professional golfer; course designer.
  • Turned Pro:

    1960

Roll of Honour

MAJORS (1). Total professional wins (68), including PGA Tour (6), Champions Tour (23) and European circuit/Tour (10+). Also winner of five NZ Opens (the first in 1954 as an amateur) and two Snr British Opens. World Golf Hall of Fame (inducted 2008). Appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, OBE (1972); Commander of the Order of the British Empire, CBE (1992); Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (1999), which carries the title "Sir"; Order of New Zealand, ONZ (2011).

Golf course design

Bob Charles has designed a number of courses in New Zealand, including (but not limited to): Formosa Auckland; The Dunes (Matarangi); Clearwater (with John Darby); Millbrook; Royal Wellington (1992, modifications).

Did you know?

Bob Charles is one of golf's most famous left-handed players, although for all other activities he is right-handed. He sensationally won the 1954 New Zealand Open as an amateur, but refrained from turning professional until 1960, preferring to follow an amateur career while continuing to work in a bank.

As a professional he quickly ventured overseas onto the European and U.S. circuits where he recorded several wins. In 1963 he became the first "lefty" to win a major championship, beating American Phil Rodgers in a 36-hole playoff for the Open Championship at Royal Lytham.

Charles enjoyed great success on the US Senior (now Champions) Tour, and at the age of 71 managed a second-place finish in the 2007 Wentworth Senior Masters on the European Senior Tour. In later years Charles became involved in course design, as well as championing children's causes and promoting junior golf in New Zealand. He eventually retired from competitive golf age 74.

Top tournaments won by Bob Charles

1998
America
Windsor Club, FL
119 (-25)
$150,000
Office Depot

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Venue

Windsor Club, FL

Score

119 (-25)

Prize money

$150,000

Title sponsor

Office Depot

Played as the Office Depot Father/Son Challenge (Dec 5/6; post-season 36-hole scramble event). Second-placed Craig & Kevin Stadler (USA) finished 4 shots behind Bob & David Charles (NZ). [Windsor Club, Orchid Beach, nr Vero Beach, Florida].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Score

212 (-4)

Prize money

$85,000

Title sponsor

MasterCard

Played as the MasterCard Champions Championship (Nov 5-7; unofficial Snr PGA Tour event for 60+ age group; played as part of the season-ending Senior Tour Championship). Second-placed Al Geiberger (USA) finished 2 shots behind Charles (NZ). [The Dunes G&BC, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Score

210 (-6)

Prize money

$85,000

Title sponsor

MasterCard

Played as the MasterCard Champions Championship (Nov 8-10; unofficial Snr PGA Tour event for 60+ age group; played as part of the season-ending Senior Tour Championship). Won by Charles (NZ). [The Dunes G&BC, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina].

1996
America
198 (-15)
$97,500
Hyatt Regency

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Score

198 (-15)

Prize money

$97,500

Title sponsor

Hyatt Regency

Played as the Hyatt Regency Maui Kaanapali Classic (Oct 25-27). Second-placed Hale Irwin (USA) finished 1 shot behind defending champion Charles (NZ), who recorded the last of his 23 Snr PGA Tour victories. [Royal Ka'anapali course, Ka'anapali Resort, Maui, Hawaii; at the time known as the North course].

1995
America
204 (-9)
$90,000
Hyatt Regency

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Score

204 (-9)

Prize money

$90,000

Title sponsor

Hyatt Regency

Played as the Hyatt Regency Maui Kaanapali Classic (Oct 27-29). Charles (NZ) beat Dave Stockton (USA) with a birdie at the third playoff hole. [Royal Ka'anapali course, Ka'anapali Resort, Maui, Hawaii; at the time known as the North course].

1993
Awards
69.59
n/a
Snr PGA Tr

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Venue

Score

69.59

Prize money

n/a

Title sponsor

Snr PGA Tr

Charles (NZ) won his third Byron Nelson Award, recording the season's lowest scoring average on the Senior PGA Tour. Dave Stockton (USA) was second with 69.71; George Archer (USA) was third with 69.86.

1993
America
Deerwood Club
208 (-8)
$75,000
Doug Sanders

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Venue

Deerwood Club

Score

208 (-8)

Prize money

$75,000

Title sponsor

Doug Sanders

Played as the Doug Sanders Celebrity Classic. Second-placed Jim Ferree (USA) finished 1 shot behind Charles (NZ). [Deerwood Course, Clubs of Kingswood, Houston, Texas].

1993
America
Chester Valley
204 (-6)
$97,500
Bell Atlantic

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Venue

Chester Valley

Score

204 (-6)

Prize money

$97,500

Title sponsor

Bell Atlantic

Played as the Bell Atlantic Classic. Second-placed Dave Stockton (USA) finished 1 shot behind Charles (NZ). [Chester Valley GC, Malvern, nr Philadelphia, PA].

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Score

291 (+7)

Prize money

£36,650

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Senior British Open (7th). Second-placed Tommy Horton (Eng) and Gary Player (RSA) finished 1 shot behind Charles (NZ). [Royal Lytham & St Annes GC, nr Blackpool, Lancs].

1993
America
207 (-9)
$157,500
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Score

207 (-9)

Prize money

$157,500

Title sponsor

x

Played as the inaugural Quicksilver Classic (Sept 3-5). Second-placed Dave Stockton (USA) finished 4 shots behind Charles (NZ). [Quicksilver GC, Midway, nr Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania].

1992
America
200 (-16)
$75,000
Transamerica

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Score

200 (-16)

Prize money

$75,000

Title sponsor

Transamerica

Played as the Transamerica Senior Golf Championship (Oct 16-18). Second-placed Dave Stockton (USA) finished 1 shot behind Charles (NZ). [South course, Silverado Resort, Napa, California].

1992
America
Rancho Murieta
201 (-15)
$75,000
Raley

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Venue

Rancho Murieta

Score

201 (-15)

Prize money

$75,000

Title sponsor

Raley

Played as the Raley's Senior Gold Rush. Second-placed Chi Chi Rodriguez (PR/USA) and Gary Player (RSA) finished 7 shots behind Charles (NZ). [Rancho Murieta CC, nr Sacramento, California].

1991
America
210 (-6)
$67,500
GTE

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Score

210 (-6)

Prize money

$67,500

Title sponsor

GTE

Played as the GTE Suncoast Classic. Second-placed George Archer (USA) and Lee Trevino (USA) finished 4 shots behind Charles (NZ). [TPC Tampa Bay, Lutz, nr Tampa, FL].

1990
America
203 (-13)
$52,500
Digital

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Score

203 (-13)

Prize money

$52,500

Title sponsor

Digital

Played as the Digital Seniors Classic. Second-placed Lee Trevino (USA) finished 2 shots behind defending champion Charles (NZ). [Nashawtuc CC, Concord, Massachusetts].

1990
America
206 (-4)
$67,500
GTE

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Score

206 (-4)

Prize money

$67,500

Title sponsor

GTE

Played as the GTE Kaanapali Classic. Second-placed George Archer (USA) and Lee Trevino (USA) finished 4 shots behind Charles (NZ). [Royal Ka'anapali course, Ka'anapali Resort, Maui, Hawaii; at the time known as the North course].

1990
Asia
Oak Hills CC, Jpn
214 (-2)
US$72,000
Fuji

Category

Asia

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Venue

Oak Hills CC, Jpn

Score

214 (-2)

Prize money

US$72,000

Title sponsor

Fuji

Played as the Fuji Electric Grand Slam (March 23-25; Snr PGA Tour unofficial money event). Second-placed Chi-san Hsu (Taiw) finished shots behind Charles (NZ), who this event for the third straight year. [Oak Hills CC, nr Katori, Chiba, Japan].

1989
Asia
Oak Hills CC, Jpn
207 (-9)
US$75,000
Fuji

Category

Asia

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Venue

Oak Hills CC, Jpn

Score

207 (-9)

Prize money

US$75,000

Title sponsor

Fuji

Played as the Fuji Electric Grand Slam (March 24-26). Second-placed Don January (USA), Larry Mowry (USA) and Charles Coody (USA) finished 4 shots behind defending champion Charles (NZ). [Oak Hills CC, nr Katori, Chiba, Japan].

1989
America
200 (-16)
$45,000
Digital

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Score

200 (-16)

Prize money

$45,000

Title sponsor

Digital

Played as the Digital Seniors Classic. Second-placed Mike Hill (USA) finished 3 shots behind Charles (NZ). [Nashawtuc CC, Concord, Massachusetts].

1989
America
Four Hills CC
203 (-13)
$45,000
Sunwest Bank

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Venue

Four Hills CC

Score

203 (-13)

Prize money

$45,000

Title sponsor

Sunwest Bank

Played as the Sunwest Bank Charley Pride Senior Classic (Aug 25-27). Second-placed Charles Coody (USA) finished 1 shot behind Charles (NZ), who won this title for the third straight year. [Canyon Club, Albuquerque, New Mexico; at the time known as Four Hills CC].

1989
America
193 (-17)
$45,000
NYNEX/Golf Digest

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Score

193 (-17)

Prize money

$45,000

Title sponsor

NYNEX/Golf Digest

Played as the NYNEX/Golf Digest Commemorative. Second-placed Don Bies (USA) and Bruce Crampton (Aus) finished 5 shots behind defending champion Charles (NZ). [Sleepy Hollow CC, Scarborough, New York].

1989
America
Suntree CC, FL
203 (-13)
$45,000
Fairfield Barnett

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Venue

Suntree CC, FL

Score

203 (-13)

Prize money

$45,000

Title sponsor

Fairfield Barnett

Played as the Fairfield Barnett Space Coast Classic. Second-placed Butch Baird (USA) finished 6 shots behind Charles (NZ). [Suntree CC, Melbourne, Florida].

1989
America
Tampa Palms G&CC
207 (-9)
$45,000
GTE

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Venue

Tampa Palms G&CC

Score

207 (-9)

Prize money

$45,000

Title sponsor

GTE

Played as the GTE Suncoast Seniors Classic. Charles (NZ) beat Harold Henning (RSA) with a birdie at the third playoff hole; Jim Ferree (USA) and Dave Hill (USA) were eliminated at the first playoff hole. [Tampa Palms G&CC, Tampa, Florida].

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Score

269 (-11)

Prize money

£25,000

Title sponsor

Volvo

Played as the Volvo Seniors British Open (3rd). Second-placed Billy Casper (USA) finished 7 shots behind Charles (NZ), who secured the first of his two British Snr Opens. [Ailsa course, Turnberry Resort, Ayrshire].

1989
Awards
69.78
n/a
Snr PGA Tr

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Venue

Score

69.78

Prize money

n/a

Title sponsor

Snr PGA Tr

Charles (NZ) won his second straight Byron Nelson Award, recording the season's lowest scoring average on the Senior PGA Tour. Al Geiberger (USA) was second with 70.32; Jim Dent (USA) was third with 70.61.

1989
Awards
$725,887
see Score
Snr PGA Tr

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Venue

Score

$725,887

Prize money

see Score

Title sponsor

Snr PGA Tr

Charles (NZ) won his second straight Arnold Palmer Award as the Senior PGA Tour 1989 leading money winner, with earnings of $725,887 on the Tour. Orville Moody (USA) was second with $647,985; Al Geiberger (USA) was third with $527,033.

1988
Asia
Oak Hills CC, Jpn
136 (-8)
US$75,000
Fuji

Category

Asia

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Venue

Oak Hills CC, Jpn

Score

136 (-8)

Prize money

US$75,000

Title sponsor

Fuji

Played as the Fuji Electric Grand Slam (March 25-27). Second-placed Larry Mowry (USA) and Billy Casper (USA) finished 1 shot behind Charles (NZ). Reduced to 36 holes due to rain. [Oak Hills CC, nr Katori, Chiba, Japan].

1988
America
Four Hills CC
206 (-10)
$41,250
Sunwest Bank

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Venue

Four Hills CC

Score

206 (-10)

Prize money

$41,250

Title sponsor

Sunwest Bank

Played as the Sunwest Bank Charley Pride Senior Classic (May 27-29). Second-placed Orville Moody (USA) finished 2 shots behind defending champion Charles (NZ). [Canyon Club, Albuquerque, New Mexico; at the time known as Four Hills CC].

1988
America
Rancho Murieta
207 (-9)
$52,500
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Venue

Rancho Murieta

Score

207 (-9)

Prize money

$52,500

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Rancho Murieta Senior Gold Rush. Second-placed Gary Player (RSA) finished 2 shots behind Charles (NZ). [Rancho Murieta CC, nr Sacramento, California].

1988
America
196 (-14)
$45,000
NYNEX/Golf Digest

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Score

196 (-14)

Prize money

$45,000

Title sponsor

NYNEX/Golf Digest

Played as the NYNEX/Golf Digest Commemorative. Second-placed Don Massengale (USA) and Harold Henning (RSA) finished 4 shots behind Charles (NZ). [Sleepy Hollow CC, Scarborough, New York].

1988
America
Horseshoe Bend
139 (-5)
$45,000
Pepsi

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Venue

Horseshoe Bend

Score

139 (-5)

Prize money

$45,000

Title sponsor

Pepsi

Played as the Pepsi Senior Challenge (Sept 30-Oct 2). Second-placed Dick Hendrickson (USA), Bert Yancey (USA) and Harold Henning (RSA) finished 1 shot behind Charles (NZ). [Horseshoe Bend CC, Roswell, Atlanta, Georgia].

1988
Awards
$533,929
see Score
Snr PGA Tr

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Venue

Score

$533,929

Prize money

see Score

Title sponsor

Snr PGA Tr

Charles (NZ) won the Arnold Palmer Award as the Senior PGA Tour 1988 leading money winner, with earnings of $533,929 on the Tour. He was the first New Zealander to win this award. Gary Player (RSA) was second with $435,914; Dave Hill (USA) was third with $415,594.

1988
Awards
70.05
n/a
Snr PGA Tr

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Venue

Score

70.05

Prize money

n/a

Title sponsor

Snr PGA Tr

Charles (NZ) won the Byron Nelson Award, recording the season's lowest scoring average on the Senior PGA Tour. Dave Hill (USA) was second with 70.40; Gary Player (RSA) was third with 70.41.

1988
America
200 (-10)
$37,500
Bank One

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Score

200 (-10)

Prize money

$37,500

Title sponsor

Bank One

Played as the Bank One Senior Golf Classic. Second-placed Dick Hendrickson (USA) finished 1 shot behind Charles (NZ). [Griffin Gate Resort, Lexington, Kentucky].

1987
America
Wood Ranch CC
208 (-8)
$41,250
GTE

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Venue

Wood Ranch CC

Score

208 (-8)

Prize money

$41,250

Title sponsor

GTE

Played as the inaugural GTE Classic. Second-placed Bruce Crampton (Aus) finished 4 shots behind Charles (NZ). [Wood Ranch CC, Simi Valley, California].

1987
America
Four Hills CC
208 (-8)
$37,500
Sunwest Bank

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Venue

Four Hills CC

Score

208 (-8)

Prize money

$37,500

Title sponsor

Sunwest Bank

Played as the Sunwest Bank Charley Pride Senior Classic (May 1-3). Second-placed Dale Douglass (USA) finished 1 shot behind Charles (NZ). [Canyon Club, Albuquerque, New Mexico; at the time known as Four Hills CC].

1987
America
Vintage Club, CA
285 (-3)
$40,500
Chrysler

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Venue

Vintage Club, CA

Score

285 (-3)

Prize money

$40,500

Title sponsor

Chrysler

Played as the Vintage Chrysler Invitational. Second-placed Chi Chi Rodriguez (PR/USA), Butch Baird (USA), Dale Douglass (USA), Bobby Nichols (USA), Howie Johnson (USA), Gary Player (RSA) and Bruce Crampton (Aus) finished 4 shots behind first-time US Snr Tr winner Charles (NZ). [Vintage Club, Palm Desert, California].

1986
America
193 (-20)
$250,000
Mazda

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Score

193 (-20)

Prize money

$250,000

Title sponsor

Mazda

Played as the Mazda Champions (Dec 18-21; unofficial 54-hole better-ball team event; teams comprised an LPGA Tr and Snr PGA Tr player). Winning team of Amy Alcott (USA) & Bob Charles (NZ) beat Ayako Akamoto (Jpn) & Jim Ferree (USA) and Jan Stephenson (Aus) & Billy Casper (USA) with a 10-foot birdie putt at the first playoff hole. [Tryall Club, Montego Bay, Jamaica].

1983
America
Killearn CC
282 (-6)
$36,000
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Venue

Killearn CC

Score

282 (-6)

Prize money

$36,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Tallahassee Open (April 21-24; unofficial PGA Tour "satellite" event). Charles (NZ) beat Greg Powers (USA) with a 48-foot birdie putt at the first playoff hole. [Killearn CC, Tallahassee, FL].

Category

Aus/NZ

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Score

Prize money

Title sponsor

x

Played as the New Zealand PGA Championship. Won by defending champion Bob Charles (NZ). [Tauranga GC, Gate Pa, Tauranga, NZ].

Category

Aus/NZ

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Score

Prize money

Title sponsor

x

Played as the New Zealand PGA Championship. Won by Bob Charles (NZ). [Tauranga GC, Gate Pa, Tauranga, NZ].

1978
Aus/NZ
273 (-7)
Air NZ/Shell

Category

Aus/NZ

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Score

273 (-7)

Prize money

Title sponsor

Air NZ/Shell

Played as the Air New Zealand Shell Open (Nov 30-Dec 3). Second-placed Graham Marsh (Aus) finished 1 shot behind Charles (Aus). [Titirangi GC, New Lynn, Auckland, NZ].

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Score

275 (-5)

Prize money

£4,285

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Swiss Open. Second-placed Tony Jacklin (Eng) finished 1 shot behind Charles (NZ). [GC Crans-sur-Sierre, Crans-Montana, Switzerland].

1974
America
270 (-14)
$44,066
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Score

270 (-14)

Prize money

$44,066

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Greater Greensboro Open (April 4-7). Second-placed Raymond Floyd (USA) and Lee Trevino (USA) finished 1 shot behind Charles (NZ), who recorded the last of his six PGA Tour wins. [Sedgefield CC, Greensboro, NC].

Category

Africa

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Score

282

Prize money

Title sponsor

x

Played as the South African Open. Vin Baker (RSA), Graham Marsh (Aus) and Bobby Cole (RSA) finished in second place behind Bob Charles (NZ). [Durban CC, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa].

1973
Aus/NZ
283 (-5)
NZ$3,000
x

Category

Aus/NZ

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Score

283 (-5)

Prize money

NZ$3,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the New Zealand Open (Nov 22-25). Second-placed Ian Stanley (Aus) finished 4 shots behind Charles (NZ), who recorded the last of his four wins in this event. [Manawatu GC, Hokowhitu, Palmerston North, NZ].

1973
Europe
278 (-10)
£2,910
Scandinavian Enterprise

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Score

278 (-10)

Prize money

£2,910

Title sponsor

Scandinavian Enterprise

Played as the inaugural Scandinavian Enterprise Open (July 19-22). Second-placed Tony Jacklin (Eng), Hedley Muscroft (Eng) and Vin Baker (RSA) finished 2 shots behind Charles (NZ). [Royal Drottningholm GC, nr Stockholm; at the time known as Drottningholm GC].

1972
Europe
285 (+1)
£14,625
John Player

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Score

285 (+1)

Prize money

£14,625

Title sponsor

John Player

Played as the John Player Classic (Sept 27-30). Second-placed Gay Brewer (USA) and Peter Oosterhuis (Eng) finished 1 shot behind first-time European Tour winner Charles (NZ). [Ailsa course, Turnberry Resort, Ayrshire].

1972
Europe
Northumberland GC
277 (-11)
£1,950
Dunlop

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Venue

Northumberland GC

Score

277 (-11)

Prize money

£1,950

Title sponsor

Dunlop

Played as the Dunlop Masters (Oct 4-7). Second-placed Tony Jacklin (Eng) finished 2 shots behind Bob Charles (NZ). [Northumberland GC, Gosforth Park, nr Newcastle upon Tyne].

Category

Aus/NZ

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Score

271 (-13)

Prize money

Title sponsor

x

Played as the New Zealand Open (Nov 26-29). Second-placed Graham Marsh (Aus) finished 1 shot behind Charles (NZ), who recorded the third of his four wins in this event. [The Grange GC, Otahuhu, Auckland. Now part of Royal Auckland & Grange GC].

1969
Europe
37th hole
£5,750
Piccadilly

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Score

37th hole

Prize money

£5,750

Title sponsor

Piccadilly

Played as the Piccadilly World Match Play Championship (Oct 9-11; field of eight players). Bob Charles (NZ) beat Gene Littler (USA) at the 37th hole in the final. [West course, Wentworth Club, Virginia Water, Surrey].

1968
America
274 (-10)
$25,000
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Score

274 (-10)

Prize money

$25,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Canadian Open (June 20-23). Second-placed Jack Nicklaus (USA) finished 2 shots behind Bob Charles (NZ), who recorded his fifth PGA Tour win. [St George's G&CC, Etobicoke, Ontario].

1967
America
Atlanta CC
282 (-6)
$22,000
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Venue

Atlanta CC

Score

282 (-6)

Prize money

$22,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Atlanta Classic (Sept 28-Oct 1; last played in 1947 as the Atlanta Open). Second-placed Gardner Dickinson (USA), Tommy Bolt (USA) and Dick Crawford (USA) finished 2 shots behind Charles (NZ). [Atlanta CC, Marietta, Georgia].

Category

Aus/NZ

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Score

273 (-19)

Prize money

Title sponsor

x

Played as the New Zealand Open (Nov 17-20). Second-placed Guy Wolstenholme (Eng) finished 13 shots behind Bob Charles (NZ), who recorded his second NZ Open win, and first as a professional. [Paraparaumu Beach GC, Paraparaumu, NZ].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Score

271 (-17)

Prize money

$6,800

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Tucson Open Invitational (Feb 18-21). Second-placed Al Geiberger (USA) finished 4 shots behind wire-to-wire winner Bob Charles (NZ). [Catalina course, Tucson National Resort, Tucson, AZ].

1963
America
268 (-12)
$10,000
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Score

268 (-12)

Prize money

$10,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Houston Classic (April 18-21). Second-placed Fred Hawkins (USA) finished 1 shot behind 27-year-old Bob Charles (NZ), who recorded his first PGA Tour win. [Memorial Park GC, Houston, TX].

1963
Majors
277 (-7)
£1,500
R&A

Category

Majors

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Score

277 (-7)

Prize money

£1,500

Title sponsor

R&A

The Open Championship (92nd) (July 10-12). Bob Charles (NZ) beat Phil Rodgers (USA) in a 36-hole playoff: Charles 140 (E), Rodgers 148 (+8). Charles became the first left-hander to win a major championship. [Royal Lytham & St Annes GC, nr Blackpool, Lancs].

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Score

272

Prize money

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Swiss Open. Charles (NZ) beat Flory Van Donck (Belg) and John Jacobs (Eng) in a playoff. [GC Crans-sur-Sierre, Crans-Montana, Switzerland].

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Score

278

Prize money

£750

Title sponsor

Daks

Played as the Daks Tournament. Dai Rees (Wales) and Bob Charles (NZ) finished in a tie for first place. Ken Bousfield (Eng) and defending champion Bernard Hunt (Eng) were 2 shots further back in joint third place. [West course, Wentworth Club, Virginia Water, Surrey].

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Score

132

Prize money

£350

Title sponsor

Bowmaker

Played as the Bowmaker £3000 Tournament (a 36-hole pro-am event). Second-placed Denis Hutchinson (S Africa) and Kel Nagle (Aus) finished 2 shots behind Charles (NZ), who became the first left-handed professional to win a top-flight event in Britain. [Old course, Sunningdale GC, Sunningdale, Berks].

Category

Aus/NZ

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Score

Prize money

Title sponsor

x

Played as the New Zealand PGA Championship. Bob Charles (NZ) recorded the last of his three wins in this event. [New Plymouth GC, Ngamotu Links, New Plymouth, NZ].

Category

Aus/NZ

Winner (holder)

Charles, Bob

Score

280 (-8)

Prize money

amateur

Title sponsor

x

Played as the New Zealand Open (Nov 6-8). Second-placed Bruce Crampton (Aus) finished 2 shots behind 18-year-old left-hander Bob Charles (NZ, amateur), who recorded his first win in a national Open Championship. Charles was described in the press as a bank clerk. [Wellington GC, Heretaunga, Upper Hutt, nr Wellington, NZ; from 2004 Royal Wellington GC].

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Tournaments

Ryder Cup: Rome plays host to the first ever Ryder Cup to be staged in Italy, with the USA defending golf’s greatest team trophy at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club (Sept 29-Oct 1).

Solheim Cup: also in September, also in southern Europe, the 18th Solheim Cup will be contested at Finca Cortesin on the Costa del Sol, with Europe defending after their surprise win in Toledo, Inverness Club (Ohio) in 2021 (Sept 22-24). 

Who's Who

Céline Boutier: with many successes as both an amateur and professional golfer, Boutier added a major championship title to her impressive résumé at this year’s Evian Championship.

Alex Cejka: buffeted by rain and high winds, especially on the high-scoring final day, Čejka prevailed over Pádraig Harrington in a playoff at Royal Porthcawl, to scoop the Senior Open Championship title.

Marco Simone Golf & Country Club

Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.

Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.

Prince's Golf Club, Kent (UK)

Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.

Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available

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