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Lytham hero in Hall of Fame
IT'S been an important time for Sir Bob Charles – the winner of the Open Championship at Royal Lytham, in 1963 has been inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in Florida.
Sir Bob, who is now 72 and still playing competitive golf, was the first left-hander to win a major title beating American Phil Rodgers in a 36-hole play-off to decide the 1963 Open.
He has become the first New Zealander to be inducted into the Hall of Fame and is regarded as one of the game's best putters, claiming five US PGA titles and eight European Tour titles.
Charles has had a special affinity with Lytham, as well as lifting the Claret Jug in 1963. the Kiwi finished runner-up to Tony Jacklin there in 1969.
And 30 years after his Open victory, Charles returned to Lytham in 1993 to win the British Seniors Championship.
Among those paying tribute to Charles was Jacklin.
He said: "Our paths crossed many, many times – we played together in the final round of the Open in 1969 when I won.
"We both played at Lytham in 1963 so the place became synonymous with our getting to know each other quite well.
"Ever since I played professional golf, Bob Charles has been around.
"I am very glad to he has been elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame.
"I have a high regard for his accomplishments. Having to travel such vast distances and to do what he did is quite a feat.
"He has always been a true gentleman, and I am flattered that he asked me to induct him."
Jacklin, already a member of the Hall of Fame himself, added: "Bob has had a long and enduring career.
"He was always very fit, and he was conscious of his diet – he was quite the disciplinarian with himself.
"He was always immaculately turned out – he used to press his own slacks and shirts and cared about how he looked.
"On the course, his greatest attribute was his wonderful short game.
"He was a great, putter. That's the first thing any pro golfer would say about Bob."
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Monday 13 February 2012
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