Class of Six to be Enshrined Nov. 10, 2008 in St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine, Florida, USA (July 9, 2008) – The 1963 Open Championship winner, Sir Bob Charles will become the first New Zealander and the first lefty inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame this November when he is honored as part of the 2008 Class. Charles, who joined media today through a teleconference call, was selected in the Veterans Category.
“To be inducted into The World Golf Hall of Fame is a great honour for me,” Charles said. “After 50 years of competitive golf around the world, I am proud to be joining my peers in recognition of my life in golf.”
“Sir Bob thoroughly deserves to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame,” said Gary Player, the Hall of Fame’s Global Ambassador. “He is a quiet and reserved man but has always been a thorough gentleman and has represented the world of golf in a most distinguished manner. I am proud to call him a friend, a truly International player and someone who has promoted the game we all love so much. Vivienne and I are delighted that he has been selected and send our best wishes to both him, Verity and their family.”
In addition to the 1963 Open Championship at Royal Lytham & St. Annes, Charles’ has earned more than 60 international victories since turning professional in 1960. His record includes five PGA TOUR wins, eight European Tour titles and 17 additional international victories that include four New Zealand Opens and three New Zealand PGA Championships.
Charles went on to lead an impressive career in the 50+ circuit, winning the 1989 and 1993 Senior British Opens, 23 Champions Tour titles and 10 additional senior tournaments around the world. He remains active in competitive golf yet today.
“Sir Bob Charles is a shining example of success in international golf-winning tournaments around the globe for half a century,” said Jack Peter, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the World Golf Hall of Fame. “We look forward to celebrating his achievements that will undoubtedly bring great pride to his fellow New Zealanders now and for years to come.”
Sir Bob was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1972 and advanced to Commander in 1992. He became Sir Bob Charles when he was named Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 1999.
Charles will be recognized along with Pete Dye, Denny Shute, Carol Semple Thompson, Herbert Warren Wind and Craig Wood at the 2008 World Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Nov. 10 at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Florida. For information about the ceremony, visit www.wgv.com.
About World Golf Hall of Fame
World Golf Hall of Fame is the ultimate destination for the celebration and recognition of golf’s greatest players and contributors and an inspiration to golfers and fans throughout the world. A collaboration of 26 national and international golf organizations support the Hall of Fame, including the PGA TOUR, LPGA, USGA, Augusta National, PGA of America, The European Tour and The R&A. The museum houses interactive exhibits and historic and personal artifacts that tell the stories of its members and the game of golf. The Hall of Fame is located at World Golf Village, a resort destination celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2008. For more information, visit www.wgv.com.
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As sole founding partner of World Golf Hall of Fame, The First Tee and World Golf Village, Shell Oil Company provides financial support and plays the lead role in charitable initiatives aimed at introducing golf to young people, and through the golf experience promotes scholastic achievement, community service and those values intrinsic to the game of golf: honesty, integrity and sportsmanship.
Contact:
Jane Fader, World Golf Hall of Fame
904-940-4009, jfader@wghof.org
www.wgv.com
