Golf: Sir Bob returns for centenary

Sir Bob Charles. Photo / Glenn Jeffrey

New Zealand golfing great Sir Bob Charles returns to where it all started as New Zealand Golf celebrates its centenary this weekend.

Charles is a special guest at the celebrations which begin with a Centenary Golf Day at Royal Wellington Golf Club on Friday.

He will hit the commemorative first tee shot at the club where he first sprung into national prominence 56 years in winning the New Zealand Open as a fresh-faced 18-year-old.

It sparked a remarkable career for golf's most famous left-hander, highlighted with Charles' victory at the British Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes in 1963.

He also won New Zealand Open four times among his 68 professional victories in a stellar career spanning into seven decades and culminating in his induction to world golf's Hall of Fame in 2008.

- NZPA