Mon 18 Aug 2008
new zealand golfers on the world stage
Posted by timezoneone under Welllll Done, New Zealand
New Zealand - a country of around 4.26 million people has produced some outstanding golfing talent over the last 50 or so years. Please indulge me with a short history of some notable New Zealand golfers…
Golf in New Zealand has to start with Sir Bob Charles. Sir Bob put golf on the map in New Zealand. Sir Bob’s record of golfing accomplishments is something to behold. The most notable of his achievements include: Being Officially Knighted in 1999, 1963 British Open Champion, 1969 World Matchplay Champion, 1993 Senior British Open Champion, Inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2008, and most recently making the cut at the 2007 New Zealand Open at the ripe old age of 71. Sir Bob became the oldest person on the European Tour history to make a cut.
Other notable New Zealand Team and Individual Achievements include:
- 1992 Winning the Eisenhower Cup (Amateur team event).
- 2002: The Year of the Kiwi Golfer
- Craig Perks winning the PGATOUR’s Players Championship in one of the most memorable last 3 holes in tournament history
- Phil Tataurangi winning the PGATOUR’s Invensys Classic in Las Vegas
- Michael Campbell winning the European Tours European Open
- David Smail winning the Japanese Tours Japan Open
- 2005: Michael Campbell winning the USGA’s US Open
Past New Zealand Golfing Legends
Frank Nobilo, Greg Turner, Simon Owen.
Past New Zealand PGATOUR Winners
Grant Waite 1993 Kemper Open Champion
Frank Nobilo 1997 Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic Champion
Current New Zealand Golfers on the World Stage
Asian Tour:, Kevin Chun, Mahal Pearce, Mark Brown, Matt Holten, Michael Long, Richard Lee
Japan Golf Tour: David Smail, Eddie Lee
European Golf Tour: Steve Alker, Michael Campbell, Stephen Scahill.
Nationwide Golf Tour: Brad Iles, Grant Waite
PGATOUR: Frank Nobilo, Craig Perks, Phil Tataurangi, Tim Wilkinson
Golfing Blogster - Folksey
