Sir Bob Charles: Life, ‘rockets’ and Christchurch Golf Club

Christchurch Golf Club, the second oldest club in New Zealand, will celebrate its 150th anniversary this weekend with tournaments to mark the milestone.

The membership, primarily based in Shirley, has more than 600 members with the oldest taking half in member being 94-year-old Michael Buckenham and the youngest is Layla Pearson, who’s 10.

Club patron, Sir Bob Charles, who has simply turned 87, has been playing on the membership since he was simply a teenager in 1956.

“I’m a ball-game freak, I’m at my happiest when taking half in ping-pong, snooker, tennis and golf actually is the love of my life,” Sir Bob stated.

“Well, next to my wife,” he then shortly added.

Sir Bob continues to play no much less than once every week within the summertime and nonetheless competes sometimes too.

Sir Bob Charles. (Source: Photosport)

“I attempt hit a bucket of balls a day which is about 35-50 I suppose and it takes less than half an hour and offers me time for other issues,” he said.

“The fashionable game takes a lot time, four to 4 and a half hours, and the sport of golf was never alleged to be played that way – it ought to be three to 3 and a half hours which is a little bit of a put-off for me.”

The length of the sport is not Sir Bob’s solely criticism; he also believes know-how is ‘destroying the game’ he is conscious of and loves.

“For one factor the ball is going large distances. I do not name them golf balls no more – I name them rockets trigger they are going into orbit,” he joked.

“In my day no-one hit the ball more than 270 yards so the ball, the gear.. and the worst part is the golf programs try to defend themselves by lengthening the courses.”

Which is why he loves Christchurch Golf Club, which has all the time stayed true to its hyperlinks.

Christchurch Golf Club. (Source: Supplied)

“Links golf, you’re out there within the contemporary air and the sunshine and rain occasionally, nevertheless it’s the purist form of golf and the simplest type of golf,” stated Sir Bob.

“And I simply love the absence of bushes, timber they get in the greatest way of the golf ball and I don’t like hazards.”