Palmer, Charles To Play Golf Series In N.Z.

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30901, 6 November 1965, Page 17

Palmer, Charles To Play Golf Series In N.Z.

One °f the most famous professional golfers in history, Arnold Palmer, of the United States, is to play a series of matches in New Zealand next year.

lle will be accompanied by the world’s best left-hander, the New Zealand professional, R. J. Charles.

The chairman of the New Zealand Golf Council (Mr G. P. Roberts) announcing the visit yesterday, said that while details of the tour had yet to be completed, it appeared to be certain that Palmer and Charles would play in at least the four main centres.

“This is great news for New Zealand golf,” Mr Roberts said. “According to my information, the tour will be made in midOctober of next year.

“It has come about after prolonged negotiations between the American lawyer, Mr Mark McCormack, who acts as agent for both players, and W. D. and H. O. Wills (New Zealand), Ltd. Date Put Back This Gold series of matches between these two famous players was intended for next February. “Palmer, however, has television commitments. Charles has an even more important commitment, for his wife, who is now in Johannesburg, is to have their first child in that month. “I am sure the delay will only serve to whet the interest of all New Zealand golfers In the visit. ‘The appearance of the greatest players on New Zealand courses must not only stimulate the interest of our golfing public but also prove most useful in acquainting them with the finest of modem techniques, said Mr Roberts. New Dimension “It is undeniable that Palmer with his fantastic power play and superb putting has introduced a new

dimension into professional golf.

“Charles has been described by overseas experts as the greatest player this country has despatched into world competition. “I feel sure I speak for all New Zealand golfers when I say I hope it will be possible for Mr McCormack and Messrs Wills to arrange for these two magnificent players to prolong their visit and to appear on as many courses as possible.”

Charles an an amateur won the New Zealand Open in 1954 as a boy of 18, reached the quarter-finals of the British amateur championship and represented his country in the Eisenhower Trophy and the Commonwealth tournament. After turning professional at the end of 1960, he campaigned in the United States. Early in 1963, he became the first New Zealander to win an American tournament when he took the Houston Classic from a strong field. Greatest Of All In July of that year, he scored his greatest triumph when he won the British Open after a tie with a leading American, Phil Rodgers. He was first in two American tournaments earlier this year, being beaten in a playoff in one and winning the other decisively. Palmer, in a career of dazzling brilliance, has been denied only one of the great events of golf—the American P.G.A. championships.

He won the American amateur championship in 1954 and since turning professional in the following year has won the United States Open once, the British Open twice and the Masters tournament, inaugurated by Bobby Jones, three times. Palmer is the last of the “Big Three” of present-day golf—Jack Nicklaus, the American, and Gary Player, the South African, being the others—to pay a visit to New Zealand.

In terms of performance, not least his mastery of the great British courses, which have so far defeated Nicklaus and on which Player’s record is not distinguished, he is the greatest of all.