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Since becoming a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 1999, Sir Bob Charles has continued to play international golf, support and mentor young players, and donate one percent of his income to New Zealand golf through the Sir Bob Charles Scholarships, awarded annually to promising young golfers.
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 Professional Golfer's Association Tour wins, eight European Tour titles and 17 other international victories including four New Zealand Open wins and three New Zealand Professional Golfer's Association 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 2007, at age 71, he became the oldest golfer ever to make the cut on a European Tour event at the Michael Hill New Zealand Open, finishing 23rd.
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 entitled ‘The Bob Charles Left-Hander's Golf Book’.
Sir Bob Charles plays in many charitable events within New Zealand and has played several times in the Gary Player Invitational, a golf tournament that raises money for various children’s organisations.
Honours
Order of the British Empire for services to golf 1971
Commander of the British Empire for services to golf 1992
Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to golf 1999