Bob Charles Left Handed Golf Book.
London: Angus & Robertson, 1985. 104p, cloth. D&J C9880. More
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Sir Robert James Charles ONZ KNZM CBE (born 14 March 1936) is a New Zealand professional golfer whose achievements over five decades rank him among the most successful left-handed golfers of all time, being the first lefty to win a golf major, winning more than 70 titles, and beating his age twice during a tournament as a 71-year-old.Born in Carterton, a small town in the Wairarapa district in New Zealand's North Island, Charles lived in Masterton where he worked as a bank teller. He won the New Zealand Open at Heretaunga on 8 November 1954, as an 18-year-old amateur.
Charles decided to hone his skills as an amateur first, and remained in his bank employment for a further six years. He represented New Zealand several times in international amateur tournaments during this period.
Charles 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 1963, Charles won his first PGA Tour event in the United States, the Houston Classic, the first PGA Tour event won by a left-handed golfer.[1] Later that year he won The Open Championship at Royal Lytham and St. Annes. After four rounds (68-72-66-71) his 277 was level with American Phil Rodgers. Charles won the 36-hole playoff by eight shots.[2]
Charles has won about 80 tournaments around the world. As well as his PGA Tour victories, his win in the 1969 World Matchplay Championship was considered one of his best. He won the Senior British Open 30 years after winning his British Open title. He remains, along with Michael Campbell, one of only two New Zealanders to win a men's major golf championship.
In 2007 Charles became the oldest golfer to make a cut on the European Tour at the Michael Hill New Zealand Open. Charles shot a 68 in the second round, beating his age by three strokes.[3] He would go on to finish in a tie for 23rd place.
Charles's 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. He finished second on the European Seniors Tour's 2007 Wentworth Senior Masters at the age of 71. He was the first left-hander to win a major, but also the first lefty to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, in the veterans category. He was inducted in 2008.[4] He would remain the only lefty inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame until Phil Mickelson was elected in 2011.
At the Senior British Open Championship in 2010, Charles announced in an ESPN interview that he would retire from golf, stating that he was "74 years old, traveling this world for 50 years, and it's time to slow down and spend more time on my farm in New Zealand with my family."
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 Masters in 2003, Charles was the only golfer with a left-handed swing to have won a major.
In the New Year Honours 1972 Charles was appointed an Officer of The Order of The British Empire.[citation needed] In the New Year Honours 1992 Charles was promoted to Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to golf.[5] In the New Year Honours 1999 Charles was appointed a Knight Companion of The New Zealand Order of Merit for services to golf.[6] In the New Year Honours 2011 Charles was appointed to The Order of New Zealand for services to New Zealand.[7][8]
Charles married his wife Verity in 1962 and they have two children, Beverly and David. David is a golf director in the United States. He is a successful golf course designer having had major input into the Formosa Country Club east of Auckland, Millbrook at the resort town of Queenstown, and 'The Dunes' course at Matarangi on the Coromandel Peninsula. He was also consultant to the Clearwater course, near Christchurch, designed by golf architect John Darby.
Charles has played in the Gary Player Invitational several times to assist Gary Player raise funds for various underprivileged children's causes.
London: Angus & Robertson, 1985. 104p, cloth. D&J C9880. More
Glen Waverley: Full Swing Golf Publishing, 2022. Normally £199 and £179 together £299.00 Seve, The Peoples Champion. 299p. Simulated leather Limited edition of 1000 signed and numbered copies only. Superb tribute to Seve photo biography of a genius, and catalyst to Europe's success through the early years, coming to the..... More
Glen Waverley: Full Swing Golf Publishing, 2022. Normally £199, £179 and £179 Total £557 together £399.00 Seve, The Peoples Champion. 299p. Simulated leather Limited edition of 1000 signed and numbered copies only. Superb tribute to Seve photo biography of a genius, and catalyst to Europe's success through the early years..... More
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Texas: Bank One, 1991. Bank One cheque with Hogan's full signature, fine example. Added provenance of coming from Valerie Hogan's estate. ; THE BOB COFFIN COLLECTION SOURCED FROM BEN HOGAN'S PERSONAL SECRETARY SHARON RAE Bob Coffin is a man of action, as seen by a career of public service which..... More
Texas: Bank One, 1991. Bank One cheque with Hogan's full signature, fine example. Added provenance of coming from Valerie Hogan's estate. ; THE BOB COFFIN COLLECTION SOURCED FROM BEN HOGAN'S PERSONAL SECRETARY SHARON RAE Bob Coffin is a man of action, as seen by a career of public service which..... More
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. ca 1950. A 14" x 11" black and white head shot of Ben Hogan, the 9 time Major winner. Bantam Ben considered this his favorite off course image. It comes from his personal collection. ; THE BOB COFFIN COLLECTION SOURCED FROM BEN HOGAN'S PERSONAL SECRETARY SHARON RAE Bob Coffin..... More
United Kingdom: Latham, 2013. 159p. Illustrated cloth. Foreword, Mr Michael J Walker Captain of the HCEG Into. plus 12 Chapters, the by far most detailed look at the HCEG famous course, having been the home of the company since 1891, and ranked frequently the No.1 course in the United Kingdom..... More
United Kingdom: Latham, 2013. Richard Latham, classic set! Royal Liverpool, Hoylake Royal County Down Muirfield Individually each book is £99.00 together £229.00 Royal Liverpool 160p. Illustrated cloth. Foreword, Mr Peter Dawson Secretary of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews. Into. plus 3 parts and 2 Appendix's. History..... More
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Sydney, Australia: Angus & Robertson, 1906. 259p. cloth, illustrated. The first Australian golf book of any substance. Daniel Gordon (Dan) Soutar was born in Carmyllie, Scotland in 1882. 'In 1888, his family moved to the nearby seaside resort town of Carnoustie where - over the next 15 or so years..... More
Sydney, Australia: Angus & Robertson, 1908. 259p. cloth, illustrated. Scarce 1908 edition, second? The first Australian golf book of any substance. Daniel Gordon (Dan) Soutar was born in Carmyllie, Scotland in 1882. 'In 1888, his family moved to the nearby seaside resort town of Carnoustie where - over the next..... More
Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club: R & A, 1969. 63p. The 98th playing of this greatest Championship of all, Bob Charles became Champion Golfer for the year. Multiple signatures to center map, Jack Nicklaus, Orville Moody, Peter Thompson (previous Open winner at Lytham) Billy Casper, Champion Golfer Bob..... More
Bob Charles autographed photograph ideal for framing. 1963 Open Champion. More
ca. 1935. Fine example of Faulkner's period signature, would be great displayed. Herbert Gustavus Max Faulkner, OBE (29 July 1916 – 26 February 2005) was an English professional golfer who won the Open Championship in 1951. Faulkner was the eldest of three boys. His younger brother, Frank (1919–1941), who was..... More
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United States of America, 1997. An 'In Memorium' printed as an insert in "The Oak Leaf" publication at Shady Oak. Incredible provenance coming from Ben's wife Valerie's estate. Possibily unique we have never come across this Hogan item before. ; THE BOB COFFIN COLLECTION SOURCED FROM BEN HOGAN'S PERSONAL SECRETARY..... More
ca. 1930. Fine example of Padgham's period signature, would be great displayed. Alfred Harry Padgham (2 July 1906 – 4 March 1966[1]) was one of the leading British professional golfers of the 1930s and 1940s. Padgham was born in Caterham, Surrey. After finishing third at The Open Championship in 1934..... More
. ca 1950. Presented here is a matted vintage image of Sam Snead and Wilson Golf President Fred Bowman. Snead has signed and inscribed the image in black ink as follows: "To my very good friend & Boss Fred Bowman a great guy and a hell of a player. Always..... More
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