Australia's most successful golfer was honoured today (5th July) by Queen Margaret University College, Edinburgh.
At an impressive ceremony at the Festival Theatre, Peter Thompson received a Doctor of Business Administration for his services to the golf and tourism industry.
Born in Melbourne in 1929, Peter won his first Victorian Amateur Championship at the age of 19. He won this award another two times before beginning his professional career in 1949. He followed this with a win at his first open championship in New Zealand in 1950, and then went on to debut at the British Open in 1951. With his enviably simple, orthodox and rhythmic swing, he was soon to make his mark on the European tour, playing on the British links courses that he loved so much.
Speaking at the graduation, Ian Buick, Senior Lecturer in Hospitality and Tourism at Queen Margaret University College said "In his early days, Peter was nick named the Melbourne Tiger - possibly for his ferociously competitive spirit or maybe for his often brutal annihilation of the opposition. It is however notable that it took almost another 35 years for yet another Tiger to creep out of the Woods."
Over the next seven years, Peter won four Open championships and was second three times, twice to Bobby Locke, his great rival in those days, and once to Ben Hogan, the greatest golfer of the time. Peter completed a hat-trick of victories at Hoylake in 1956 and was the only person to win three Opens in succession in the 20th century.
However, it took a fifth win at Royal Birkdale in 1965 to gain the respect of his American peers. In the last round, he got the better of Tony Lema, the defending champion. Even the harshest sceptics, then had to concede that Peter was the master of anyone when it came to controlling the ball over a demanding links course.
In his 40 year playing career he won the open titles of ten countries, winning several more than once, ending in 1988 with the British PGA Seniors title. His golf design company has worked on golf course projects all over the world but his most famous is possibly the Dukes Golf Course which he designed in collaboration with the Old Course Hotel and Country Club in St. Andrews. Known for his love of Scotland and its links courses, Peter still maintains a home at St Andrews where he spends most of his summers.
Peter is the President of the James Braid Golf Society, based in Brora, Sutherland. His election as president stems from his success in winning 5 Open Championships - the only person to have done so since James Braid himself.
A journalist, author, commentator and president of the Australian Professional Golfers Association from 1962 to 1994, Peter finished his professional playing career in 1998. In 2001 he was awarded the Order of Australia for his contribution to golf and sport as well as his charity work in the community especially on drug rehabilitation projects.
Professor Joan Stringer, Principal of the University College said "It is fitting that in the year when Queen Margaret University College establishes the world's first MBA in Golf and Country Club Management that we honour Peter Thompson - the most successful Australian golfer ever."
For further media information please call Lynne Russell, Press and PR Officer, Queen Margaret University College, tel 0131 317 3652, mobile 07803 618092.
In the early 1960s, Arnold Palmer helped to rejuvenate the Open and as a result of his influence the United States was again represented in force.Ê It was therefore not until Peter won it for a fifth time, at Royal Birkdale in 1965 that he was accorded due credit by his American peers.Ê When Peter got the better of the American Tony Lema, the defending champion in the last round at Southport that year, even the harshest sceptics had to concede that Peter had proved he was the master of anyone when it came to controlling the ball over a demanding links course. Also in the late 1960's Peter put his weight behind the fledgling Asian tour.
In the 1980s he started playing in the flourishing US Seniors tour.Ê He won 11 tournaments, 10 of them in 1985, when he amassed what was then an incredible sum in official prize money alone.Ê In his 40 year playing career he won the open titles of ten countries, winning several more than once, ending in 1988 on an up note with the British PGA Seniors title. It is interesting to note that this event was sponsored by Sir Rocco Forte who is also receiving an Honorary Degree today.Ê Peter then partnered Sir Rocco in the Pro. Am.Ê Research has been unable to find the score card for this event, but it is rumoured that a number of creatures of the birdie variety were seen over the course that day - a smattering of eagles chased by a few albatrosses.
A journalist, author, commentator and president of the Australian Professional Golfers Association from 1962 to 1994, Peter Thomson is an honorary member of a number of golf clubs including the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews.Ê Peter captained the International Team at the 1996 President's Cup played at the Robert Trent Jones course and finished his professional playing career in 1998 when he captained the International team, again for the President's Cup held in Australia in 1998.
In 2001 Peter was awarded the Order of Australia for his contribution to golf and sport as well as his charity work in the community especially on drug rehabilitation projects.
It is fitting that in the year when Queen Margaret University College establishes the world's first MBA in Golf and Country Club Management that we honour Peter Thompson today - a professional golfer with wide cultural interests outside golf.Ê He hardly conforms to the typical perception of an Australian native - he prefers discussing politics or listening to classical music rather than drinking beer or surfing. However he has been known to relax with a glass of wine, especially one bearing the Peter Thomson label. Peter Thomson's record speaks for itself - the most successful Australian golfer ever.
