Golf: Sir Bob Charles honoured with NZ highest award
Sir Bob Charles received the most prestigious award of New Zealand on December 31st in remembrance of his contribution to golf.
The 74-year-old first joined a golf tour as an amateur after giving up his clerical position in a bank in 1950 and after four years he claimed his debut title at New Zealand Open. Within a span of twenty-four years, Sir Bob Charles claimed 60 titles. His
victories also include 1963 British Open, at Royal Lytham and St Annes. His charisma doubled when he turned 50, as he joined the Champion tour and smashed two victories at British Senior Opens. However, this was not it, as he claimed 23 US Champions Tour
titles and 10 other over-50 tournament victories.
To present salutations to the champion, the PGA tour presented him with membership of the Order of New Zealand.
The 74-year-old had tears in his eyes, when he addressed the children in the crowd after receiving the award. He said, “I'm proud, humble, and thankful. Proud to be recognised by New Zealand for my achievements and contributions to New Zealand golf, humble
to be joining such an illustrious group of New Zealanders and thankful for the opportunity ...golf has given me."
He discussed the positive impacts of golf for growing children and emphasised that it restricted negativities. He said, "When I grew up, there was maybe one murder a year. Now somebody gets murdered every other day virtually, and it saddens me and sickens
me. The youth of the world would be far less troubled if they got involved in some sport or other; have an interest, get them off the streets, get them away from television, get them away from video games, get them out in the fresh air. They'd be a lot healthier
and more productive and more law-abiding if they did that.”
In 2007, he attended a regular European Tour event and finished 23rd, which was a huge achievement for a 71-year-old. In 2008, his name was included in the World Golf Hall of Fame making him the first New Zealander to receive the honour.
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