Charles ‘good as ever’

Press, 2 May 1984, Page 32

Charles ‘good as ever’

New Zealand’s best-per-formed golfer, Bob Charles, has had a longer vacation than usual this summer, but it ended when he left his North Canterbury farm to play in the major tournament held at Houston each year. Charles will be 50 by the middle of next year, and that will make him eligible for the rich prizes to be won on the American veterans’ circuit.

Everything points to it being a successful venture. His form at present is as good as it has ever been. There was evidence of this in a round played at Shirley a few days ago in

company with John Prendergast, a life-long friend. Prendergast has seen much of Charles’s golf, he has watched the top players of the world, and played with’ many leading professionals.

He has never been so impressed with Charles. The lanky left-hander was hitting the ball further than he had ever done, Prendergast said, and' every drive split the fairway with mathematical accuracy.

Charles’s irons were “incredible,” he said. He not only putted for an eagle and 17 birdies: each approach shot was over the pin. Charles, for many years, was regarded as the best putter in the world. He did

not perform so well on the greens in his round, holing only four of his birdie putts and having a total of 33 putts, a round of 69. Prendergast was also with Charles when he played the round of a lifetime at Shirley. It was in a fathers and sons match about 30 years ago and Bob Charles was round in 62, 11 under par. On that occasion, Prendergast and his father were admiring playing companions.

Prendergast recalled that Charles missed only one green. He was a foot through — but chipped in for an eagle. R. T. Brittenden