Neil Coles
Encyclopedia
Neil Chapman Coles, MBE (born 26 September 1934) is an English
professional golf
er. As of 2005, Coles is only the second man (after Sam Snead
) to win a professional golf tournament in six different decades, starting in the 1950s and extending into the 21st century.
Coles was born in England
. He won thirty-one events in his regular career, including seven after the European Tour was officially established in 1972. The European Tour's official site states that Coles won twenty-five times on the tour, meaning that 25 of the tournaments he won are regarded as having equivalent status to official European Tour events http://www.europeantour.com/default.sps?pageid=127&pagegid=%7BAB0336D2%2DD3C9%2D469B%2DBCB6%2DBFD443B52A34%7D&playerId=39. His last European Tour win came in 1982.
While he never became one of the leading stars of global golf, and did not win a major championship
, Coles was remarkable for his consistency, and even more for his durability. He was five times a top-ten finisher in the Open Championship, finishing third in 1961 and second in 1973, although arguably his closest chances came in 1970 (when he led after a first-round 65 and was only 3 off the lead going into the final round) and 1975 (where he followed second and third rounds of 69 and 67 with a 74 at Carnoustie
, when a 70 would have earnt him the Claret Jug). He led the British Order of Merit in both 1963 and 1970, and maintained a top-ten position in the Merit list for almost every year of the 1960s and 1970s decades. He was ranked 7th in the world on the inaugural Mark McCormack's world golf rankings
in December 1968, a position he regained at the end of 1970. Even at the peak of his career he made few appearances in the U.S. because of his fear of flying.
He finished in the top ten on the European Seniors Tour's
order of merit eight times between 1992 and 2000. In 2002, during which season he turned sixty eight, he finished eleventh. In that year he won the Lawrence Batley Seniors Tournament at the age of 67 years and 276 days, more than four years older than any previous winner of a Seniors professional golf tournament. He also had a third place finish in 2003. His final win tally on the Senior Tour was nine. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame
in 2000.
Coles is currently (January 2007) the chairman of the PGA European Tour
's board of directors. He is also a golf course architect designing courses such as Chartham Park.
Note: Coles did not play in the U.S. Open
nor the PGA Championship
.
DNP = Did not play
WD = Withdrew
CUT = missed the half-way cut
"T" indicates a tie for a place
Yellow background for top-10
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
professional golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
er. As of 2005, Coles is only the second man (after Sam Snead
Sam Snead
Samuel Jackson Snead was an American professional golfer who was one of the top players in the world for most of four decades. Snead won a record 82 PGA Tour events including seven majors. He failed to win a U.S...
) to win a professional golf tournament in six different decades, starting in the 1950s and extending into the 21st century.
Coles was born in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. He won thirty-one events in his regular career, including seven after the European Tour was officially established in 1972. The European Tour's official site states that Coles won twenty-five times on the tour, meaning that 25 of the tournaments he won are regarded as having equivalent status to official European Tour events http://www.europeantour.com/default.sps?pageid=127&pagegid=%7BAB0336D2%2DD3C9%2D469B%2DBCB6%2DBFD443B52A34%7D&playerId=39. His last European Tour win came in 1982.
While he never became one of the leading stars of global golf, and did not win a major championship
Men's major golf championships
The men's major golf championships, commonly known as the Major Championships, and often referred to simply as the majors, are the four most prestigious annual tournaments in professional golf...
, Coles was remarkable for his consistency, and even more for his durability. He was five times a top-ten finisher in the Open Championship, finishing third in 1961 and second in 1973, although arguably his closest chances came in 1970 (when he led after a first-round 65 and was only 3 off the lead going into the final round) and 1975 (where he followed second and third rounds of 69 and 67 with a 74 at Carnoustie
Carnoustie
Carnoustie is a town and former police burgh in the council area of Angus, Scotland. It is situated at the mouth of the Barry Burn on the North Sea coast...
, when a 70 would have earnt him the Claret Jug). He led the British Order of Merit in both 1963 and 1970, and maintained a top-ten position in the Merit list for almost every year of the 1960s and 1970s decades. He was ranked 7th in the world on the inaugural Mark McCormack's world golf rankings
Mark McCormack's world golf rankings
The McCormack rankings were unofficial world golf rankings published in Mark McCormack's World of Professional Golf Annual from 1968 to 1985, and were a forerunner of the current Official World Golf Rankings...
in December 1968, a position he regained at the end of 1970. Even at the peak of his career he made few appearances in the U.S. because of his fear of flying.
He finished in the top ten on the European Seniors Tour's
European Seniors Tour
The European Seniors Tour is a professional tour for male golfers aged 50 and over run by the PGA European Tour.The Tour was founded in 1992. In 2008 it had a total prize fund of €7,729,284, so it is much further behind the U.S.-based Champions Tour in relative prize money than the main European...
order of merit eight times between 1992 and 2000. In 2002, during which season he turned sixty eight, he finished eleventh. In that year he won the Lawrence Batley Seniors Tournament at the age of 67 years and 276 days, more than four years older than any previous winner of a Seniors professional golf tournament. He also had a third place finish in 2003. His final win tally on the Senior Tour was nine. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame
World Golf Hall of Fame
The World Golf Hall of Fame is located at World Golf Village near St. Augustine, Florida, in the United States, and it is unusual among sports halls of fame in that a single site serves both men and women. It is supported by a consortium of 26 golf organizations from all over the world.The Hall of...
in 2000.
Coles is currently (January 2007) the chairman of the PGA European Tour
PGA European Tour
The PGA European Tour is an organization which operates the three leading men's professional golf tours in Europe: the elite European Tour, the European Seniors Tour and the developmental Challenge Tour. Its headquarters are at Wentworth Club in Virginia Water, Surrey, England...
's board of directors. He is also a golf course architect designing courses such as Chartham Park.
European Tour wins (7)
- 1972 Sunbeam Electric Scottish Open
- 1973 Spanish Open, Benson & Hedges Match Play Championship
- 1974 W.D. & H.O. Wills TournamentW.D. & H.O. Wills TournamentThe W.D. & H.O. Wills Tournament was a golf tournament on the European circuit/European Tour from 1968 to 1974. The sponsor was tobacco company W.D. & H.O. Wills.-Winners:-External links:**...
- 1976 Penfold PGA Championship
- 1977 Tournament Players ChampionshipTournament Players Championship (United Kingdom)The Tournament Players Championship was a European Tour golf tournament which was played in either England or Scotland each year from 1977 to 1984...
- 1982 Sanyo OpenSanyo OpenThe Sanyo Open was a European Tour golf tournament which was held annually in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain from 1982 to 1986. It was played at Sant Cugat the first year and thereafter at El Prat. The most notable winner was the Spanish five time major championship winner Seve Ballesteros...
Other wins (24)
- 1956 Gor-Ray Tournament
- 1960 Coombe Hill Assistants
- 1961 Ballantine Tournament
- 1962 Senior Service Tournament
- 1963 Engadine Tournament, Daks TournamentDaks TournamentThe Daks Tournament was a golf tournament of the European circuit from 1950 to 1971. It was played at a number of different locations in England.-Tournament hosts:-Winners:*1971 Neil Coles and Brian Huggett *1970 Neil Coles*1969 Brian Huggett...
(tie with Peter AllissPeter AllissPeter Alliss is an English professional golfer, BBC television presenter and commentator, author and golf course designer. Alliss is known for his charismatic and unique style of commentary, often displaying a witty demeanour...
), Martini InternationalMartini InternationalThe Martini International was a men's professional golf tournament that was held from 1961 to 1983. It was hosted by several different golf clubs in England, Scotland and Wales. It was part of the European Tour's schedule from the tour's first official season in 1972 until the event ceased...
(tie with Christy O'Connor SnrChristy O'Connor SnrChristy O'Connor is a former Irish professional golferO'Connor was born in Knocknacarra, Galway. He turned professional in 1946. Throughout the 1960s he won at least one professional event during each year on the British Tour, a level of consistent success matched by very few other players...
) - 1964 Bowmaker Tournament, Daks TournamentDaks TournamentThe Daks Tournament was a golf tournament of the European circuit from 1950 to 1971. It was played at a number of different locations in England.-Tournament hosts:-Winners:*1971 Neil Coles and Brian Huggett *1970 Neil Coles*1969 Brian Huggett...
, News of the World Match Play - 1965 News of the World Match Play, Carroll's InternationalIrish Open (golf)The Irish Open is a professional golf tournament on the European Tour, currently played at the end of July or early August each year. The event has been played in many locations on the island; its current home is the Killarney Golf & Fishing Club in County Kerry in southwestern Ireland...
- 1966 Pringle of Scotland TournamentPringle of Scotland TournamentThe Pringle of Scotland Tournament was a golf tournament played from 1964 to 1967 in Great Britain. The sponsor was clothing company Pringle of Scotland.-Winners:-External links:*...
, British Masters - 1970 Walworth Aloyco, Sumrie Clothes Better-Ball (with Bernard HuntBernard HuntBernard John Hunt, MBE is an English professional golfer.Hunt was born in Atherstone, Warwickshire. He turned professional in 1946 and was a leading player on the European circuit in the 1950s and 1960s. He topped the Order of Merit, which was then points-based, in 1958, 1960 and 1965...
), Italian BP Open, Bowmaker Tournament, Daks TournamentDaks TournamentThe Daks Tournament was a golf tournament of the European circuit from 1950 to 1971. It was played at a number of different locations in England.-Tournament hosts:-Winners:*1971 Neil Coles and Brian Huggett *1970 Neil Coles*1969 Brian Huggett... - 1971 Penfold Bournemouth Tournament, Daks TournamentDaks TournamentThe Daks Tournament was a golf tournament of the European circuit from 1950 to 1971. It was played at a number of different locations in England.-Tournament hosts:-Winners:*1971 Neil Coles and Brian Huggett *1970 Neil Coles*1969 Brian Huggett...
(tie with Brian HuggettBrian HuggettBrian George Charles Huggett, MBE is a Welsh professional golfer. In 2006 he was inducted into the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame....
), Carroll's InternationalIrish Open (golf)The Irish Open is a professional golf tournament on the European Tour, currently played at the end of July or early August each year. The event has been played in many locations on the island; its current home is the Killarney Golf & Fishing Club in County Kerry in southwestern Ireland...
, German OpenGerman Open (golf)The German Open was a men's golf tournament. It was first staged in 1911 when the winner was Harry Vardon. The following year the champion was another of the Great Triumvirate of late 19th and early 20th century British golfers, John Henry Taylor. The tournament was then cancelled for over a decade... - 1973 Sumrie Clothes Better-Ball (with Bernard HuntBernard HuntBernard John Hunt, MBE is an English professional golfer.Hunt was born in Atherstone, Warwickshire. He turned professional in 1946 and was a leading player on the European circuit in the 1950s and 1960s. He topped the Order of Merit, which was then points-based, in 1958, 1960 and 1965...
)
European Seniors Tour wins (9)
- 1992 Collingtree Homes Seniors Classic
- 1993 Gary Player Seniors Classic
- 1995 Collingtree Seniors
- 1997 Ryder Collingtree Seniors Classic
- 1998 Philip PFA Golf Classic
- 1999 Energis Senior Masters, Dalmahoy Scottish Seniors Open
- 2000 Microlease Jersey Seniors Open
- 2002 Lawrence Batley Seniors
Other senior wins (4)
- 1985 PGA Seniors ChampionshipPGA Seniors ChampionshipThe PGA Seniors Championship is a European Seniors Tour golf tournament for men aged fifty and above. It was founded in 1957, and became part of the European Seniors Tour on its founding in 1992. It was played at the Royal Dublin Golf Club in the Republic of Ireland that year, but since 1993 it has...
- 1986 PGA Seniors ChampionshipPGA Seniors ChampionshipThe PGA Seniors Championship is a European Seniors Tour golf tournament for men aged fifty and above. It was founded in 1957, and became part of the European Seniors Tour on its founding in 1992. It was played at the Royal Dublin Golf Club in the Republic of Ireland that year, but since 1993 it has...
- 1987 PGA Seniors ChampionshipPGA Seniors ChampionshipThe PGA Seniors Championship is a European Seniors Tour golf tournament for men aged fifty and above. It was founded in 1957, and became part of the European Seniors Tour on its founding in 1992. It was played at the Royal Dublin Golf Club in the Republic of Ireland that year, but since 1993 it has...
- 1989 PGA Seniors ChampionshipPGA Seniors ChampionshipThe PGA Seniors Championship is a European Seniors Tour golf tournament for men aged fifty and above. It was founded in 1957, and became part of the European Seniors Tour on its founding in 1992. It was played at the Royal Dublin Golf Club in the Republic of Ireland that year, but since 1993 it has...
Results in major championships
| Tournament | 1957 | 1958 | 1959 |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Masters | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| The Open Championship The Open Championship The Open Championship, or simply The Open , is the oldest of the four major championships in professional golf. It is the only "major" held outside the USA and is administered by The R&A, which is the governing body of golf outside the USA and Mexico... |
CUT | DNP | T21 |
| Tournament | 1960 | 1961 | 1962 | 1963 | 1964 | 1965 | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Masters | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | WD | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| The Open Championship The Open Championship The Open Championship, or simply The Open , is the oldest of the four major championships in professional golf. It is the only "major" held outside the USA and is administered by The R&A, which is the governing body of golf outside the USA and Mexico... |
CUT | T3 | DNP | T20 | CUT | T12 | CUT | T36 | T6 | T11 |
| Tournament | 1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Masters | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| The Open Championship The Open Championship The Open Championship, or simply The Open , is the oldest of the four major championships in professional golf. It is the only "major" held outside the USA and is administered by The R&A, which is the governing body of golf outside the USA and Mexico... |
T6 | T22 | CUT | T2 | T13 | 7 | T28 | T41 | T48 | WD |
| Tournament | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Masters | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| The Open Championship The Open Championship The Open Championship, or simply The Open , is the oldest of the four major championships in professional golf. It is the only "major" held outside the USA and is administered by The R&A, which is the governing body of golf outside the USA and Mexico... |
T29 | T39 | T42 | CUT | CUT | CUT |
Note: Coles did not play in the U.S. Open
U.S. Open (golf)
The United States Open Championship, commonly known as the U.S. Open, is the annual open golf tournament of the United States. It is the second of the four major championships in golf, and is on the official schedule of both the PGA Tour and the European Tour...
nor the PGA Championship
PGA Championship
The PGA Championship is an annual golf tournament conducted by the PGA of America as part of the PGA Tour. It is one of the four major championships in men's professional golf, and is the golf season's final major, usually played in mid-August, customarily four weeks after The Open Championship...
.
DNP = Did not play
WD = Withdrew
CUT = missed the half-way cut
"T" indicates a tie for a place
Yellow background for top-10
Team appearances
- Ryder CupRyder CupThe Ryder Cup is a biennial golf competition between teams from Europe and the United States. The competition is jointly administered by the PGA of America and the PGA European Tour, and is contested every two years, the venue alternating between courses in the United States and Europe...
(8): 1961, 1963, 1965, 1967, 1969, 1971, 1973, 1977. - World Cup of Golf: 1963, 1968
- Hennessy Cognac Cup: 1974 (winners), 1976, 1978 (winners), 1980 (winners)
- Double Diamond: 1971 (winners), 1973, 1975, 1976 (winners), 1977
- Praia D'el Rey European Cup: 1998, 1999
External links
- Neil Coles – profile on the World Golf Hall of FameWorld Golf Hall of FameThe World Golf Hall of Fame is located at World Golf Village near St. Augustine, Florida, in the United States, and it is unusual among sports halls of fame in that a single site serves both men and women. It is supported by a consortium of 26 golf organizations from all over the world.The Hall of...
's official site