“SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR”

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27705, 8 July 1955, Page 5

“SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR”

Award To N.Z. Open Golf Champion TROPHY PRESENTED TO R. J. CHARLES (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 7. “Whatever you do, don’t grow portly,” said the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr S. W. Smith), when presenting the national open golf champion, R. J. Charles, with the “Sportsman of the Year" trophy at a reception tonight. Mr Smith explained that an acquaintance of his complained that, because of increasing weight, whenever he put the ball where he could hit it he was unable to see it, but whenever he put the ball where he could see it he was unable to hit it. Mr Smith drew attention to Charles’s remarkable prowess at the game. Not only had Charles at the age of 18 beaten a top-flight New Zealand field, but he had beaten Peter Thomson, the British open holder, whom he had impressed greatly. The South African, Bobby Locke, had subsequently praised Charles, who had shown that his open win was “no mere flash in the pan.” It was sometimes said that one had to be close to the big centres to gain recognition in sport, but Charles had proved that the smaller districts were just as much in the picture, said MiSmith. Charles was on the threshold of a brilliant career, and was being watched by not only the Wairarapa but all of New Zealand. Mr J. Dunn, chairman of the board of directors of Truth, N.Z., Ltd., which instituted the award, said it was made not only for outstanding personal achievement, but for “a display of sportsmanship in the true sense of the term.” Charles’s achievements could be regarded as an example for others to follow.

In reply, Charles said he wished to thank the sports editors of New Zealand who had nominated him for the trophy. It had come as a great surprise to him. It had been a great honour to win the New Zealand open, but he thought it was a great honour “to be actually awarded the ‘Sportsman of the Year’ trophy.” “I attribute the successes I have had to practice, concentration, and fitness,” said Charles.