Golf: Sir Bob Charles made patron of NZ Golf

Sir Bob Charles tees off during the Champion Golfers' Challenge. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand Golf is delighted to announce that Sir Bob Charles was elected to the position of New Zealand Golf Patron at the recent New Zealand Golf Annual General Meeting.

Always the consummate professional, Sir Bob has been a significant part of the golfing landscape in New Zealand and it is with great honour that New Zealand Golf announce his acceptance of this distinguished role.

The position was left vacant after the late Rt Hon Sir Thomas Gault sadly passed in May 2015. Justice Gault had been a Life Member of New Zealand Golf for over 20 years and held the position of New Zealand Golf Patron for 22 years.

Sir Bob is one of the world's most renowned and popular golfers, becoming Champion Golfer of the Year after winning The Open in a play-off at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 1963. He won nearly 80 titles around the world and in the New Year Honours of 1999, Charles was appointed a Knight Companion of The New Zealand Order of Merit for services to golf. Charles was also admitted to the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2008 and the Carterton local has also recently become the newest Honorary Member of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club showing his class and world-wide recognition for what he has given to the game.

Sir Bob has always taken a keen interest in the development of the game of golf here at home. As he continued his golfing success into his senior years, winning over 20 times on the Senior Tour, he donated a significant part of his earnings to New Zealand Golf. Since 2008, the Charles Tour has grown to become an important tournament series that prepares our best amateurs and young professionals for a successful life on tour. Sir Bob continues to have a significant impact and influence in a number of areas across the golfing industry.

Sir Bob Charles attended the recent AGM where he was voted in as the new Patron, coupled with a standing ovation as the golfing community recognized what he has done for the sport in this country. He talked about his involvement in golf along with his recently voiced passion for speeding up the pace of play and simplifying the rules of golf. New Zealand Golf looks forward to his continuing contribution across these key areas in the future.