Who's who: Neil Coles

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Who's who: Neil Coles

  • Name:

    Neil Chapman Coles
  • Country:

    England
  • Born:

    Sept 26, 1934 in Marylebone, London, England.
  • Original/Home Club:

    Letchworth GC, Herts.
  • Occupation:

    Professional golfer; Chairman PGA Tour Board of Directors; golf course designer.
  • Turned Pro:

    1950 (aged 16).
  • Website:

    https://www.neilcoles.com

Roll of Honour

Ryder Cup player (1961, '63, '65, '67, '69, '71, '73, '77). Total professional wins (45), including European circuit/Tour (31) and European Snr Tour (9). Awarded Harry Vardon Trophy as (British) PGA Order of Merit winner (1963, '70). World Golf Hall of Fame (inducted in 2000).

Golf course design

Among many design projects Coles has been involved with, the best known are: Chartham Park, PGA de Catalunya (with Angel Gallardo) and the Priestman course, Slaley Hall.

Did you know?

Although Coles was a prolific winnner in Europe, and one of the best golfers of his era, he made few appearances in the USA, mainly due to a fear of flying. He was one of the leading pioneers behind the creation of the European PGA Tour in 1971, and was the Tour's first Chairman.

Top tournaments won by Neil Coles

2002
Europe
209 (-4)
€30,919
Lawrence Batley

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Coles, Neil

Score

209 (-4)

Prize money

€30,919

Title sponsor

Lawrence Batley

Played as the Lawrence Batley Seniors Open (June 27-29). Coles (Eng) beat David Creamer (Eng) at the eighth playoff hole. Steve Stull (USA) was eliminated at the fourth playoff hole. Recording the last of his nine wins on the European Snr Tour, Coles (aged 67 years 276 days) became the oldest winner on the Tour. [Huddersfield GC, West Yorkshire, England].

2000
Europe
207 (-9)
€24,430
Microlease

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Coles, Neil

Venue

La Moye

Score

207 (-9)

Prize money

€24,430

Title sponsor

Microlease

Played as the Microlease Jersey Seniors Open (June 2-4). Second-placed Jerry Bruner (USA) finished 3 shots behind Neil Coles (Eng). [La Moye GC, St Brelade, Jersey, Channel Islands].

1999
Europe
206 (-10)
€23,100
Dalmahoy

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Coles, Neil

Score

206 (-10)

Prize money

€23,100

Title sponsor

Dalmahoy

Played as The Dalmahoy Scottish Seniors Open (Aug 20-22). Second-placed Jerry Bruner (USA) and Jay Dolan III (USA) finished 1 shot behind Neil Coles (Eng). [East course, Dalmahoy Hotel & CC, Midlothian].

1999
Europe
205 (-11)
€35,000
Energis

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Coles, Neil

Score

205 (-11)

Prize money

€35,000

Title sponsor

Energis

Played as the Energis Senior Masters (Jul 30-Aug 1). Second-placed David Huish (Scot) finished 1 shot behind Coles (Eng). [Edinburgh course, Wentworth Club, Virginia Water, Surrey].

1998
Europe
203 (-13)
£15,700
Philips

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Coles, Neil

Score

203 (-13)

Prize money

£15,700

Title sponsor

Philips

Played as the Philips PFA Golf Classic (May 29-31). 63-year-old Coles (Eng) beat David Jones (N.Ire) at the first playoff hole. [Meon Valley H&CC, nr Southampton, England].

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Coles, Neil

Score

208

Prize money

£15,000

Title sponsor

Ryder

Played as the Ryder Collingtree Seniors Classic. Second-placed Brian Waites (Eng) and Antonio Garrido (Esp) finished 7 shots behind Coles (Eng). [Collingtree Park GC, Northampton, Northants].

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Coles, Neil

Score

211

Prize money

£8,085

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Collingtree Seniors Classic. Second-placed Brian Barnes (Scot) finished 4 shots behind Coles (Eng). [Collingtree Park GC, Northampton, Northants].

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Coles, Neil

Score

213

Prize money

£6,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Gary Player Snrs Classic. Second-placed George Will (Scot) finished 2 shots behind Coles (Eng). [Old course, St Pierre Hotel & CC, Chepstow, South Wales].

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Coles, Neil

Score

218

Prize money

£4,625

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Collingtree Homes Seniors Classic. Second-placed John Fourie (RSA) and Hugh Jackson (Ire) finished 3 shots behind Coles (Eng). [Collingtree Park GC, Northampton, Northants].

1989
Europe
277 (+1)
£7,500
Forte

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Coles, Neil

Score

277 (+1)

Prize money

£7,500

Title sponsor

Forte

Played as the Forte PGA Seniors Championship (June 15-18). Second-placed Peter Butler (Eng) finished 4 shots behind Neil Coles (Eng), who recorded his fourth win in this event in five years. [West Hill GC, Brookwood, nr Woking, Surrey].

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Coles, Neil

Score

279 (-1)

Prize money

Title sponsor

x

The inaugural Senior British Open (recognised as a senior major championship from 2003). Second-placed Bob Charles (NZ) finished 1 shot behind Neil Coles (Eng). [Ailsa course, Turnberry Resort, Ayrshire].

1987
Europe
206 (-13)
£7,500
Forte

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Coles, Neil

Score

206 (-13)

Prize money

£7,500

Title sponsor

Forte

Played as the Forte PGA Seniors Championship (June 19-21). Second-placed Peter Thomson (Aus) finished 4 shots behind Neil Coles (Eng), who won this event for the third straight year. [Coventry GC, Finham, Coventry, Warwicks].

1986
Europe
Mere
276 (-4)
£4,000
Forte

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Coles, Neil

Venue

Mere

Score

276 (-4)

Prize money

£4,000

Title sponsor

Forte

Played as the Forte PGA Seniors Championship (July 31-Aug 3). Second-placed Peter Butler (Eng) finished 1 shot behind defending champion Neil Coles (Eng). [The Mere Resort, Mere, Knutsford, Cheshire].

1985
Europe
284 (-4)
£4,000
Forte

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Coles, Neil

Venue

Pannal

Score

284 (-4)

Prize money

£4,000

Title sponsor

Forte

Played as the Forte PGA Seniors Championship (July 25-28). 60-year-old second-placed Christy O'Connor Snr (Ire) finished 2 shots behind 50-year-old Neil Coles (Eng). Coles recorded his first win on the senior's circuit and first of his four wins in this event. He also brought to an end a nine-year winning streak for Irish golfers in this event. [Pannal GC, Pannal, nr Harrogate, N Yorks].

1982
Europe
Sant Cugat
266 (-14)
£10,000
Sanyo

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Coles, Neil

Venue

Sant Cugat

Score

266 (-14)

Prize money

£10,000

Title sponsor

Sanyo

Played as the inaugural Sanyo Open (Oct 7-10). Second-placed Gary Cullen (Eng) finished 1 shot behind Neil Coles (Eng), who recorded the last of his seven European Tour wins; these wins came came on top of 22 victories on the European professional circuit, which preceded the European Tour. [Sant Cugat CG, Sant Cugat del Vallès, nr Barcelona].

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Coles, Neil

Score

288 (-4)

Prize money

£8,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the inaugural European Tournament Players Championship (Sept 7-10). Second-placed Peter Dawson (Eng) finished 1 shot behind Coles (Eng). [Bernard Hunt course, Foxhills Resort, Ottershaw, Surrey; at the time known as the Chertsey course].

1976
Europe
280 (E)
£10,000
Penfold

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Coles, Neil

Score

280 (E)

Prize money

£10,000

Title sponsor

Penfold

Played as the Penfold PGA Championship (May 28-31). Coles (Eng) beat Eamonn Darcy (Ire) and Gary Player (RSA) at the third playoff hole. [Royal St George's GC, Sandwich, Kent].

1974
Europe
Kings Norton GC
283 (-5)
£4,000
WD & HO Wills

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Coles, Neil

Venue

Kings Norton GC

Score

283 (-5)

Prize money

£4,000

Title sponsor

WD & HO Wills

Played as the (last) W.D. & H.O. Wills Tournament (Sept 18-21). Second-placed Jack Newton (Aus) finished 1 shot behind Coles (Eng). [Kings Norton GC, Alvechurch, nr Birmingham].

1973
Europe
2 holes
£3,500
Benson & Hedges

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Coles, Neil

Score

2 holes

Prize money

£3,500

Title sponsor

Benson & Hedges

Played as the Benson & Hedges Match Play Championship (May 23-26). Coles (Eng) beat Doug McClelland (Eng) by 2 holes in the 18-hole final, to record his third win in this prestigious event. [Hillside GC, Southport, Merseyside].

1973
Europe
282 (-6)
£3,450
x

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Coles, Neil

Score

282 (-6)

Prize money

£3,450

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Spanish Open. Second-placed Tienie Britz (RSA) and Craig Defoy (Wales) finished 3 shots behind Coles (Eng). [South course, La Manga Club, nr Cartagena, Murcia].

1972
Europe
283 (-5)
£1,950
Sunbeam Electric

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Coles, Neil

Score

283 (-5)

Prize money

£1,950

Title sponsor

Sunbeam Electric

Played as the inaugural Sunbeam Electric Scottish Open (Jun 28-Jul 1). Neil Coles (Eng) beat Brian Huggett (Wales) at the second playoff hole, to record the first of his seven wins on the newly created European Tour. [Downfield GC, Dundee, Angus].

1971
Europe
276
£2,000
Carroll & Co.

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Coles, Neil

Score

276

Prize money

£2,000

Title sponsor

Carroll & Co.

Played as the Carroll's International. Second-placed Peter Oosterhuis (Eng) finished 3 shots behind Coles (Eng). [Woodbrook GC, nr Bray, Co. Wicklow].

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Coles, Neil

Score

279 (-17)

Prize money

Title sponsor

x

Played as the German Open. Won by Neil Coles (Eng). [Club zur Vahr, Garlstedt, nr Bremen].

1971
Europe
Queen's Park GC
284
£1,500
Penfold

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Coles, Neil

Venue

Queen's Park GC

Score

284

Prize money

£1,500

Title sponsor

Penfold

Played as the Penfold Bournemouth Tournament. Second-placed Stuart Brown (Eng), Gordon Cunningham (Scot), Ronnie Shade (Scot) and Doug Sewell (Eng) finished 4 shots behind Coles (Eng). [Queen's Park GC, Bournemouth, Dorset].

1971
Europe
South Herts GC
284
£825
Daks

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Coles, Neil

Venue

South Herts GC

Score

284

Prize money

£825

Title sponsor

Daks

Played as the (last) Daks Tournament. Brian Huggett (Wales) and defending champion Neil Coles (Eng) finished in a tie for first place. Peter Townsend (Eng) finished 2 shots further back in third place. [South Herts GC, Totteridge, North London].

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Coles, Neil

Score

132

Prize money

£600

Title sponsor

Bowmaker

Played as the Bowmaker £4000 Tournament (a 36-hole pro-am event). Second-placed Jimmy Hitchcock (Eng) finished 3 shots behind Coles (Eng). [Outer course, Royal Mid-Surrey GC, Richmond, Surrey. Now called the J.H. Taylor course.].

1970
Awards
70.88
n/a
British PGA

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Coles, Neil

Venue

Score

70.88

Prize money

n/a

Title sponsor

British PGA

Coles (Eng) recorded the season's lowest stroke average on the GB&I PGA Tour, with 70.88. Christy O'Connor Sr (Ire) was second with 71.63; Brian Huggett (Wales) was third with 71.65. Amongst those playing less than 40 rounds on the Tour, Tony Jacklin (Eng) averaged 70.13 over 14 rounds, and Billy Casper (USA) 69.94 over 14 rounds.

1970
Awards
778 pts
13178
British PGA

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Coles, Neil

Venue

Score

778 pts

Prize money

13178

Title sponsor

British PGA

Coles (Eng) won the Harry Vardon Trophy as the British PGA Tour 1970 Order of Merit winner. Using a season-long points system, Coles accumulated 778.5 pts; Christy O'Connor Sr (Ire) was second with 774.5 pts; Brian Huggett (Wales) was third with 772.5 pts. O'Connor topped the Tour's 1970 Prize Money List with £31,532; Tony Jacklin (Eng) was second with £16,462; Coles was third with £13,178.

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Coles, Neil

Score

281

Prize money

£1,000

Title sponsor

Daks

Played as the Daks Tournament. Second-placed Peter Wilcock (Eng) finished 3 shots behind defending champion Coles (Eng). [West course, Wentworth Club, Virginia Water, Surrey].

1966
Europe
278 (-6)
£1,250
Dunlop

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Coles, Neil

Score

278 (-6)

Prize money

£1,250

Title sponsor

Dunlop

Played as the Dunlop Masters (Sept 15-17). Second-placed Christy O'Connor Sr (Ire) and Peter Thomson (Aus) finished 1 shot behind Coles (Eng). [Lindrick GC, Worksop, Nottinghamshire].

1966
Europe
273 (-15)
£750
Pringle

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Coles, Neil

Score

273 (-15)

Prize money

£750

Title sponsor

Pringle

Played as the Pringle of Scotland Tournament (June 23-25). Second-placed Peter Alliss (Eng) finished 3 shots behind Neil Coles (Eng). [Royal Burgess GC, Barnton, nr Edinburgh].

1965
Europe
19th hole
£1,250
News of the World

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Coles, Neil

Score

19th hole

Prize money

£1,250

Title sponsor

News of the World

Played as the News of the World Match Play (Sept 2-5). Defending champion Coles (Eng) beat Lionel Platts (Eng) at the 19th hole in the final. [Old course, Walton Heath GC, Walton on the Hill, Surrey].

1965
Europe
269
£1,000
Carroll & Co.

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Coles, Neil

Venue

Cork GC

Score

269

Prize money

£1,000

Title sponsor

Carroll & Co.

Played as the Carroll Sweet Afton Tournament. Second-placed Tommy Horton (Eng) and Harry Weetman (Eng) finished 6 shots behind Coles (Eng). [Cork GC, Little Island, Cork, Co. Cork].

1964
Europe
3 & 2
£1,250
News of the World

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Coles, Neil

Score

3 & 2

Prize money

£1,250

Title sponsor

News of the World

Played as the News of the World Match Play (Sept 2-5). Coles (Eng) beat Peter Butler (Eng) 3 and 2 in the 18-hole final. [Old course, Walton Heath GC, Walton on the Hill, Surrey].

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Coles, Neil

Score

136

Prize money

£350

Title sponsor

Bowmaker

Played as the Bowmaker £3000 Tournament (a 36-hole pro-am event). Second-placed Peter Alliss (Eng) finished 1 shot behind Coles (Eng). [Old course, Sunningdale GC, Sunningdale, Berks].

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Coles, Neil

Score

282

Prize money

£1,000

Title sponsor

Daks

Played as the Daks Tournament. Second-placed and defending champion Peter Thomson (Aus) finished 1 shot behind Coles (Eng). [West course, Wentworth Club, Virginia Water, Surrey].

1963
Awards
71.73
British PGA

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Coles, Neil

Venue

Score

71.73

Prize money

Title sponsor

British PGA

Coles (Eng) won the Harry Vardon Trophy as the British PGA Tour 1963 Order of Merit winner. Award based on lowest scoring average in the season's top professional events. Coles's 71.73 was based on 46 rounds played.

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Coles, Neil

Score

280

Prize money

£750

Title sponsor

Daks

Played as the Daks Tournament. Peter Alliss (Eng) finished in a tie for first place. Denis Hutchinson (S Africa) finished 2 shots further back in third place. [West course, Wentworth Club, Virginia Water, Surrey].

1963
Europe
298
£875
Martini

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Coles, Neil

Score

298

Prize money

£875

Title sponsor

Martini

Played as the £6000 Martini International (May 2-4). Second-placed Neil Coles (Eng) and Christy O'Connor Sr (Ire) finished in a tie for first place. Dai Rees (Wales) finished 2 shots further back in third place. [Royal Liverpool GC, Hoylake, Wirral, Merseyside].

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