Sir Bob Charles, Oxford, ONZ
For services to New Zealand. Since becoming a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 1999, Sir Bob Charles has continued to play international golf, as well as supporting and mentoring young players, including donating one percent of his income to New Zealand golf through the Sir Bob Charles Scholarships. He has won more than 60 international titles and was the first left-handed golfer to win a major tournament, the 1963 British Open. He had five PGA Tour wins, eight European Tour titles and 17 other international victories including four New Zealand Open wins and three New Zealand PGA championship wins. He has been a successful senior golfer, winning two Senior British Open championships, 23 Champions Tour titles and 10 additional senior tournaments. In 2008 he became the first New Zealander and the first left-hander to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. He is a role model for left-handed golfers worldwide and has written an instructional book, The Bob Charles Left-Hander's Golf Book.