Noel Anthony Ratcliffe (17 January 1945 – April 2024) was an Australian professional golfer.
Early life and amateur career Ratcliffe turned to golf late for a future professional, and didn't own a set of clubs until he was twenty-one. At university he studied pharmacy and worked for an insurance company and in public service.
Professional career In 1974, Ratcliffe turned professional. Like many Australian golfers of his era, he divided his time between the PGA Tour of Australia and the European Tour. In his regular career he won three titles in Australasia and two in Europe, where his best year was 1978 when he finished 11th on the Order of Merit.
After turning fifty he was successful on the European Seniors Tour, where he topped the Order of Merit in 2000, made the top five on four other occasions, and won eight tournaments.
Death Ratcliffe died in April 2024, at the age of 79.
Amateur wins 1969 New South Wales Medal 1971 New South Wales Medal
Professional wins (18) European Tour wins (2) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin ofvictoryRunner-up111 Jun 1978Belgian Open−12 (72-70-72-66=280)1 stroke Chris Tickner216 Aug 1987Benson & Hedges International Open−13 (69-70-70-66=275)2 strokes Ove Sellberg
European Tour playoff record (0–1) No.YearTournamentOpponentsResult11978Benson & Hedges International Open Neil Coles, Lee TrevinoTrevino won with par on fourth extra holeRatcliffe eliminated by par on first hole
PGA Tour of Australasia wins (1) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin ofvictoryRunner-up16 Feb 1977South Australian Open−5 (69-68-77-73=287)Playoff David Galloway
PGA Tour of Australasia playoff record (1–0) No.YearTournamentOpponentResult11977South Australian Open David GallowayWon with birdie on first extra hole
Other wins (2) 1974 Australian PGA Assistants Championship 1976 Huon Open (Papua New Guinea)
European Seniors Tour wins (8) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin ofvictoryRunner(s)-up128 Jun 1997Manadens Affarer Seniors Open−9 (69-67-68=204)7 strokes Steve Wild213 Jul 1997Senior German Open−12 (66-69-69=204)2 strokes David Creamer33 Sep 2000The Scotsman Scottish Seniors Open−11 (68-72-65=205)1 stroke Trevor Downing424 Sep 2000TEMES Seniors Open−5 (71-69-71=211)2 strokes Maurice Bembridge, Denis O'Sullivan55 May 2001Beko Classic−7 (69-73-67=209)1 stroke Terry Gale65 Aug 2001De Vere Hotels Seniors Classic−11 (67-71-67=205)1 stroke Jerry Bruner, Simon Owen718 May 2003AIB Irish Seniors Open−5 (69-69-73=211)1 stroke Delroy Cambridge, Martin Gray, Bob Lendzion85 Jun 2005AIB Irish Seniors Open (2)−6 (71-68-71=210)2 strokes Luis Carbonetti
European Seniors Tour playoff record (0–2) No.YearTournamentOpponentsResult11996Ryder Collingtree Seniors Classic Malcolm Gregson, David HuishHuish won with par on first extra hole21998AIB Irish Seniors Open Terry Gale, Joe McDermottMcDermott won with birdie on fifth extra holeRatcliffe eliminated by par on first hole
PGA of Australia Legends Tour wins (4) note: this list is probably incomplete 2001 Australian PGA Seniors Championship 2008 Polygiene Australian PGA Seniors Championship 2013 Kiama Legends Pro-Am (with Mike Harwood) 2014 Manly Legends/Kids Xpress Charity Pro-Am (with two others)
Other senior wins (1)
1995 Australian Senior Open
Results in major championships Tournament19781979198019811982198319841985198619871988The Open ChampionshipCUTT41CUTCUTT38 Note: Ratcliffe only played in The Open Championship.
CUT = missed the half-way cut (3rd round cut in 1978 and 1981 Open Championships) "T" = tied
Team appearances Amateur Commonwealth Tournament (representing Australia): 1971 Eisenhower Trophy (representing Australia): 1972 Australian Men's Interstate Teams Matches (representing New South Wales): 1970 (winners), 1971, 1973 (winners)
Professional Praia d'El Rey European Cup: 1997 (winners)
See also List of golfers with most European Senior Tour wins
References
External links