1 Jan 2011

Sir Bob Charles heads New Year's Honours list

11:48 am on 1 January 2011

The first New Zealand golfer to win a major tournament, Sir Bob Charles, is among the receipients of the nation's top honour the Order of New Zealand in the New Year's honours.

Sir Bob - who became a Knight Companion of the Order of Merit in 1999 - is the first New Zealander and first left-hander inducted into golf's World Hall of Fame.

He's long supported the game in New Zealand financially and as a mentor for young players.

Others recognised include the All Whites coach Ricki Herbert and Olympic gold medal winner Yvette Corlett who have been made Companions of the Order of Merit.

Herbert's captain Ryan Nelsen has become an officer of the Order.

The New Zealand women's rugby coach Brian Evans is also an officer of the Order and Melissa Ruscoe, who led the Black Ferns to a fourth consecutive World Cup win, is a Member of the Order.

So are the former Warriors captain Steve Price, squash star Shelley Kitchen and cricket historian and former New Zealand selector Don Neely.

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