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Sir Bob Charles (b 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 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 Shell Houston Open. His greatest moments also came that same 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.
His move to the PGA Senior 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. Phil Mickelson became the third when he won the 2004 Masters.
Charles received the OBE from Queen Elizabeth in 1972 and was appointed a CBE in 1992. He became Sir Bob Charles in 1999 when appointed Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Charles married his wife Verity in 1962 and they have two children, Beverly (b1966) 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.
Following is an incomplete list of tournaments won by Bob Charles over the years. PGA wins are indicated by (PGA), important international tournament wins by (Int) and Champions Tour by (Champions Tour).
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