Noel Ratcliffe
Name:
Noel Anthony RatcliffeCountry:
AustraliaBorn:
Jan 17, 1945 in Sydney, Australia.Original/Home Club:
Occupation:
Professional golferTurned Pro:
1974Multiple winner on the European, European Seniors, Australasian and other international tours. European Seniors Tour Order of Merit winner (2000).
During his professional golfing career Ratcliffe was equally at home playing on the tours in Australasia and Europe. He took up relatively late for a future professional, not owning a set of clubs until he was 21-years-old. He worked for an insurance company and in public service before becoming a professional golfer in 1974.
Europe
AIB
Played as the AIB Irish Seniors Open in association with Greenstar & Fáilte Ireland (June 3-5). Second placed Luis Carbonetti (Arg) finished 2 shots behind Noel Ratcliffe (Aus), who recorded his second win in three years in this event, and the last of his eight European Senior Tour wins. [The Heritage, Killenard, Co. Laois, Ireland].
Europe
AIB
Played as the AIB Irish Seniors Open (May 16-18). Second-placed Delroy Cambridge (Jam), Martin Gray (Scot) and Bob Lendzion (USA) finished 1 shot behind Noel Ratcliffe (Aus). [Adare Manor Resort, Adare, Co. Limerick].
Europe
Beko
Played as the Beko Classic (May 3-5). Second-placed Terry Gale (Aus) finished 1 shot behind Ratcliffe (Aus). [Gloria Resort, Belek, nr Antalya, Turkey].
Europe
De Vere
Played as the De Vere Hotels Seniors Classic (Aug 3-5). Second-placed Jerry Bruner (USA) and Simon Owen (NZ) finished 1 shot behind Ratcliffe (Aus), who closed with two eagles in the final three holes to snatch victory. [Priestman course, Slaley Hall Resort, Hexham, Northumberland].
Awards
Eurpn Snr Tr
Ratcliffe (Aus) won the Eurpn Snr Tr 2000 Order of Merit and associated John Jacobs Trophy, with earnings of €163,166 on the Tour. John Grace (USA) finished second with €161,525; Denis O'Sullivan (Ire) was third with €156,966.
Europe
The Scotsman
Played as The Scotsman Scottish Seniors Open (Sept 1-3). Second-placed Trevor Downing (Aus) finished 1 shot behind Noel Ratcliffe (Aus). [East course, Dalmahoy Hotel & CC, Midlothian].
Europe
TEMES
Played as the TEMES Seniors Open (Sept 22-24; formerly the Greek Seniors Open). Second-placed Maurice Bembridge (Eng) and Denis O'Sullivan (Ire) finished 2 shots behind Ratcliffe (Aus). [Glyfada GC of Athens, Greece].
Europe
x
Played as the inaugural Manadens Affarer Seniors Open (June 26-28). Second-placed Steve Wild (Eng) finished 7 shots behind Noel Ratcliffe (Aus), who recorded the first of his eight European Senior Tour wins. [Fagelbro G&CC, Varmdo, nr Stockholm, Sweden].
Europe
x
Played as the German Senior Open. Second-placed David Creamer (Eng) finished 2 shots behind Ratcliffe (Aus). [GC Owingen-Überlingen, Überlingen, nr Konstanz, Germany].
Aus/NZ
x
Played as the Australian Senior Open. Second-placed J. Klatt (Aus) and Hiroshi Tahara (Jpn) finished 4 shots behind Ratcliffe (Aus). [Yarra Yarra GC, Bentleigh East, nr Melbourne, Aus].
Europe
Benson & Hedges
Played as the Benson & Hedges International Open (Aug 13-16). Second-placed Ove Sellberg (Swe) finished 2 shots behind Ratcliffe (Aus), who recorded the second of his two European Tour wins. [Fulford GC, York, North Yorkshire].
Played as the Belgian Open (June 8-11; played for the first time since 1958). Second-placed Chris Tickner (Aus) finished 1 shot behind first-time European Tour winner Ratcliffe (Aus). [Royal GC of Belgium (Ravenstein), Tervuren, nr Brussels].
Sony Open in Hawaii: played at Waialae Country Club near Honolulu, the Sony Open takes over the spotlight from The Sentry as the PGA Tour’s calendar-year opening event (Jan 15-18). The Sentry (not being played in 2026) was formerly known as the Tournament of Champions, with a field typically restricted to golfers who won a PGA Tour event in the previous calendar year.
Dubai Desert Classic: the DP World Tour’s first Rolex Series event of 2026, is contested for the 37th time (Jan 22-25). First won by Englishman Mark James in 1989, it now boasts a four-time winner, Rory McIlroy. Played on the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course, this once desert-surrounded course is the long-time flagship for Golf in Dubai.
Our visit last month included two rounds at Golf de Chantilly, one of France’s most prestigious clubs.
It offers two superb layouts: Le Vineuil, a five-star championship course with a rich history, and Longères, an excellent four-star course that provides a strong and enjoyable test.
The wider Paris region offers plenty more. Courses such as Fontainebleau, Golf de Saint-Germain, and several other top-rated layouts make this area one of Europe’s most rewarding golf destinations, offering a mix of woodland, heathland, and parkland designs.
The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.
Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.
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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