Golf: Sir Bob inducted into hall of fame

Sir Bob says he may cut back on tournaments. Photo / Glenn Jeffrey

It's a tale that Sir Bob Charles, the first person to be inducted into New Zealand Golf's Hall of Fame, will tell in years to come with his inimitable dry humour.

The hall of fame was inaugurated in Wellington at the weekend with a dinner to mark the centenary of New Zealand Golf.

Last Friday the Royal Wellington Golf Club hosted a field of notables at its Heretaunga course where Sir Bob won his first New Zealand Open as a teenaged amateur in 1954.

The left-handed legend obliged by shooting a round of 69 on the testing layout, five under his age. A feat to be treasured, even by the 1963 British Open winner.

But only second best on the day.

Ninety-year-old Bob Glading, winner of the NZ Open in 1946 and 1947, completed his 18 holes in 80, 10 under his age.

The second to be inducted into the hall of fame was Michael Campbell, whose winning of the US Open in 2005, defying Tiger Woods, was captured on film and replayed at the dinner, emphasising the magnitude of his achievement. He recalled that he first played with a left-handed club but got nowhere until he changed sides.

The awards were handed out by Australian Peter Thomson, winner of a record nine NZ Opens, who drew a round of applause when he rated Charles the best putter of all time.