View source for Neil Coles

{{Short description|English professional golfer}}
{{EngvarB|date=May 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2015}}
{{Infobox golfer
| name              = Neil Coles <br /> <small>[[Order of the British Empire|MBE]]</small>
| image             = 
| imagesize         = <!-- e.g. 250px (default is 200px) -->
| caption           = 
| fullname          = Neil Chapman Coles
| nickname          = 
| birth_date        = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1934|9|26}}
| birth_place       = [[London]], England
| death_date        = <!-- {{Death date and age|df=yes|YYYY|MM|DD|1934|9|26}} -->
| death_place       = 
| height            = {{height|ft=5|in=10}}
| weight            = {{convert|182|lb|kg st|abbr=on}}
| nationality       = {{ENG}}
| residence         = [[Walton-on-Thames]], [[Surrey]], England
| spouse            = Ann
| partner           = 
| children          = Keith, Gary
| college           = 
| yearpro           = 1950
| retired           = <!-- Year retired -->
| tour              = <!-- Current tours which a member of -->
| extour            = [[European Tour]]<br>[[European Seniors Tour]]
| prowins           = 55
| eurowins          = 7
| champwins         = 1
| seneurowins       = 9 ([[List of golfers with most European Senior Tour wins|Tied 5th all time]])
| otherwins         = 33 (regular)<br>5 (senior)
| majorwins         = <!-- Number of Major Championship wins -->
| masters           = WD: 1966
| usopen            = DNP
| open              = T2: [[1973 Open Championship|1973]]
| pga               = DNP
| wghofid           = neil-coles
| wghofyear         = 2000
| award1            = [[Harry Vardon Trophy]]
| year1             = 1963, 1970
| award2            = 
| year2             = 
| awardssection     = <!-- location of awards page or section -->
}}
'''Neil Chapman Coles''', [[Member of the Order of the British Empire|MBE]] (born 26 September 1934) is an English [[professional golfer]]. Coles had a successful career in European golf, winning 29 important tournaments between 1956 and 1982. After reaching 50, he won a further 14 important Seniors tournaments between 1985 and 2002, winning his final [[European Seniors Tour]] event at the age of 67. He also played in eight [[Ryder Cup]] matches between 1961 and 1977.

While he never became one of the leading stars of global golf, and did not win a [[Men's major golf championships|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. In 1982 at the age of 48 he won the [[Sanyo Open]] in Spain and held the distinction of being the oldest winner of a European Tour event for nearly 20 years. Even at the peak of his career, he made few appearances in the United States because of his [[fear of flying]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.scotsman.com/sport/golf/old-king-coles-is-a-merry-old-soul-1-1419563 |title=Old King Coles is a merry old soul |newspaper=[[The Scotsman]] |date=27 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205182855/https://www.scotsman.com/sport/golf/old-king-coles-is-a-merry-old-soul-1-1419563 |archive-date=5 December 2019}}</ref>

In his eight Ryder Cup appearances, Coles had 5 wins, 6 defeats and 4 halves in his 15 singles matches; the 7 points he won in these is tied for the most singles points in [[Ryder Cup]] history. All his appearances were in a winless period for the Great Britain and Ireland team.

==Early life==
Coles was born in London, England, and grew up in [[Letchworth]], [[Hertfordshire]]. He started out as a junior golfer at Letchworth Golf Club, before becoming an assistant professional there at the age of 16.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.letchworthgolfclub.com/about-us |title=Golf History |publisher= Letchworth Golf Club |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205171002/https://www.letchworthgolfclub.com/about-us |archive-date=5 December 2019}}</ref><ref name=greatest>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.golfdigest.com/story/neil-coles-the-greatest-golfer-americans-have-never-heard-of |title=The greatest golfer Americans have never heard of |magazine=Golf Digest |first=John |last=Huggan |date=25 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229075137/https://www.golfdigest.com/story/neil-coles-the-greatest-golfer-americans-have-never-heard-of |archive-date=29 December 2019}}</ref>

==Professional career==
Coles, then an assistant at [[Moor Park Golf Club|Moor Park]], was in contention for the 1955 [[Gor-Ray Cup]], the Assistants' Championship, at Hartsbourne. However a poor finish left him in third place, two strokes behind [[Dave Thomas (golfer)|Dave Thomas]] and [[Jimmy Hitchcock (golfer)|Jimmy Hitchcock]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vXVDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4282%2C5764311 |title=Assistants' tie |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=18 June 1955 |page=7}}</ref> In 1956, having moved to Burhill, he won the event, finishing four strokes ahead of [[Peter Butler (golfer)|Peter Butler]].<ref name=gr/> In 1956 he qualified for the [[Open Championship]] for the first time, at [[Royal Liverpool Golf Club|Hoylake]], with rounds of 79 and 70.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CXFAAAAAIBAJ&pg=5678%2C6811740 |title=Qualifiers and aggregates |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=4 July 1956 |page=4}}</ref> However rounds of 78 and 82 meant he missed the cut.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=C3FAAAAAIBAJ&pg=5699%2C6168554 |title=Qualifiers for last day |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=6 July 1956 |page=4}}</ref> As a previous winner Coles was unable to play in the 1957 assistants' championship but he was runner-up in the [[Coombe Hill Assistants' Tournament]], a stroke behind [[George Low (Scottish golfer)|George Low]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VfA-AAAAIBAJ&pg=5966%2C3034740 |title=Low wins tournament by one stroke |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |page=4 |date=24 May 1957}}</ref> In 1957 Coles became more prominent in major British events. In September he reached the quarter-finals of the [[News of the World Match Play]] and was sixth in the [[Dunlop Masters]], despite a poor final round.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MnhAAAAAIBAJ&pg=1941%2C1678213 |title=Halliburton-O'Connor's final for match-play title |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=14 September 1957 |page=7}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=OXhAAAAAIBAJ&pg=1481%2C2739769 |title=E. C. Brown's success in Masters tournament |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |page=11 |date=23 September 1957}}</ref> Coles played in a few [[1959 PGA Tour|PGA Tour]] events in early 1959, including the [[Bing Crosby Pro-Am]] where he finished tied for 28th place.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.attpbgolf.com/images/pdf/history/1959.pdf |title=AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am History - 1959 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923180032/http://www.attpbgolf.com/images/pdf/history/1959.pdf |archive-date=23 September 2015}}</ref> In the [[1959 Open Championship]] at [[Muirfield]] Coles qualified in a tie for third place.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PHFAAAAAIBAJ&pg=2327%2C94256 |newspaper=Glasgow Herald |location=Scotland |last=Horne |first=Cyril |title=Holder leads 90 qualifiers for Open title |date=1 July 1959 |page=9}}</ref> In the Open itself he finished in a tie for 21st place.<ref name="Brenner"/>

In 1960 Coles moved to Coombe Hill and soon won the [[Coombe Hill Assistants' Tournament]], finishing a stroke ahead of [[Lionel Platts]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CnhAAAAAIBAJ&pg=1870%2C3758133 |title=Assistants' win for Coles |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |page=13 |date=27 May 1960}}</ref> In June 1961 Coles had his best finish in an important event, finishing runner-up to [[Bernard Hunt]] in the [[Daks Tournament]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dBk1AAAAIBAJ&pg=2133%2C1846486 |title=Hunt's brilliant finish |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=12 June 1961 |page=5}}</ref> Coles finished joint-3rd in the [[1961 Open Championship]] in July.<ref name="Brenner"/> These tournaments were among those that counted towards qualification for the [[1961 Ryder Cup]], the leading 9 in the [[Harry Vardon Trophy|Order of Merit]] after the [[Carling-Caledonian Tournament]] in early August gaining a place. Coles was 5th in the table and so qualified for his first Ryder Cup, at [[Royal Lytham]] in mid-October.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Times |date=5 August 1961 |page=3 |title=Ryder Cup places earned at Longniddry}}</ref> The week before the Ryder Cup was played, Coles won his first major event, the [[Ballantine Tournament]] at [[Wentworth Club|Wentworth]], winning by five strokes from [[Ken Bousfield]]. Coles started the final round 7 strokes behind Bousfield but had a final round of 65 to Bousfield's 77. The first prize of £1,500 was more than [[Arnold Palmer]] received for winning that year's Open Championship.<ref name=ballantine/> That year's Ryder Cup was the first played with 18-hole matches; the United States winning by five points. Coles lost both his foursomes matches but halved his morning singles match and beat [[Dow Finsterwald]] in the afternoon singles.<ref name=rcmg2016>{{cite web |url=http://www.pga.org/sites/default/files/assets/library/Media/mg_2015_rc.pdf |title=2016 Ryder Cup Media Guide |access-date=26 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927104329/http://www.pga.org/sites/default/files/assets/library/Media/mg_2015_rc.pdf |archive-date=27 September 2015}}</ref> Coles made his second trip to America to play in some [[1962 PGA Tour|PGA Tour]] events in California in early 1962. He had his best result in his final event, the 90-hole [[Palm Springs Golf Classic]] where he finished tied for 7th place, winning $1,350.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FH5AAAAAIBAJ&pg=5008%2C5075505 |title=Palmer wins at Palm Springs |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=5 February 1962 |page=4}}</ref>

After Coles's win in the 1961 [[Ballantine Tournament]] he won a further 10 British and Irish events between 1962 and 1966. Two of these were shared wins, both in 1963. In British tournaments at this time only "championships" required a champion; other events were often left with joint winners who shared the prize money. Coles won the [[Senior Service Tournament]] in 1962, which had first prize of £2,000.<ref name=sst/> He won two events in 1963, the [[Martini International]] and the [[Daks Tournament]], both joint wins.<ref name=martini/><ref name=daks1963/> Coles won the 1963 [[Harry Vardon Trophy]] ahead of [[Bernard Hunt]], despite Hunt having a lower stroke average and Hunt winning almost twice as prize money. Coles had 674 points to Hunt's 645.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vmtAAAAAIBAJ&pg=3843%2C859369 |title=Vardon Trophy for Coles |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=5 October 1963 |page=8}}</ref> He also led the Ryder Cup points list for the [[1963 Ryder Cup|1963]] event in the United States.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=v2JAAAAAIBAJ&pg=2213%2C3297370 |title=Brothers in |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=23 September 1963 |page=10}}</ref> The British and Ireland team were heavily beaten, Coles getting a win and two halves from his six matches.<ref name=rcmg2016/>

Coles won three important events in 1964, the [[Daks Tournament]], the [[Bowmaker Tournament]] and the [[News of the World Match Play]].<ref name=daks1964/><ref name=bow1964/><ref name=notw1964/> He won nearly twice as much prize money as any other player but only finished fourth in the Order of Merit.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78344158/evening-standard/ |title=Coles banked £2 7s 2d for every shot |first=Mark |last=Wilson |newspaper=[[Evening Standard]] |date=2 November 1964 |page=30 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> He reached the final of the [[1964 Piccadilly World Match Play Championship]], losing 2&1 to [[Arnold Palmer]] and collecting the runners-up prize of £3,000.<ref>"Palmer's Supreme Golf Under Pressure". ''The Times'', Monday, 12 October 1964; pg. 3; Issue 56140.</ref> Coles won two events in 1965, the [[Carroll's International]] and the [[News of the World Match Play]],<ref name=carrolls1965/><ref name=notw1965/> He finished second in the points list for the [[1965 Ryder Cup]] at [[Royal Birkdale]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zmxAAAAAIBAJ&pg=3954%2C3582490 |title=British team for Ryder Cup match |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=26 July 1965 |page=4}}</ref> He played in all six sessions, winning three matches and losing three.<ref name=rcmg2016/> He finished the season third in the Order of Merit.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78344357/evening-standard/ |title=Hunt becomes our top golfer again |first=Mark |last=Wilson |newspaper=[[Evening Standard]] |date=30 October 1965 |page=9 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Coles played on the American winter circuit in early 1966, finishing with the [[1966 Masters Tournament|Masters]]. He made the cut and was tied for 32nd place after three rounds, but withdrew from the final round after feeling ill.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_X9AAAAAIBAJ&pg=6457%2C1881934 |title=Three to play-off for Masters golf title |first=S. L. |last=McKinlay |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=11 April 1966 |page=12}}</ref><ref name="Brenner"/> Coles won two more events in 1966, the [[Pringle of Scotland Tournament]] and the [[Dunlop Masters]].<ref name=pos/><ref name=dunlop/> He only finished fourth in the Order of Merit but set a new prize money record, £8,329, beating his own best of £7,890 from 1964.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evening-standard/133040928/ |title=King Coles pockets £8329 (It's a record) |first=Mark |last=Wilson |newspaper=[[Evening Standard]] |date=4 November 1966 |page=30 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

After winning 11 important British events between 1961 and 1966, Coles failed to win one from 1967 to 1969. He had some consistent results, including solo runner-up finishes behind [[Tony Jacklin]] in the 1967 [[Dunlop Masters]] and behind [[Peter Townsend (golfer)|Peter Townsend]] in the 1968 [[Piccadilly PGA Close Championship]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=BH9AAAAAIBAJ&pg=1609%2C2917412 |title=Jacklin arrives at milestone in burgeoning career |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |first=Raymond |last=Jacobs |date=18 September 1967}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6ug9AAAAIBAJ&pg=1727%2C3939807 |title=Townsend's first major triumph as professional |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=23 Sep 1968 |page=7}}</ref> He qualified for the [[1967 Ryder Cup]] team, finishing third in the points list, and was placed fifth in the list for the [[1969 Ryder Cup|1969]] team, to get an automatic place.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FGtAAAAAIBAJ&pg=1434%2C1724237 |title=Will wins Ryder Cup place |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=17 July 1967 |page=4}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-guardian/133041815/ |title=Jacklin on Open road to golf |first=Pat |last=Ward-Thomas |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=14 July 1969 |page=16 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In the 1967 match in [[Houston]], he lost his three opening pairs matches but beat [[Doug Sanders]] twice in the final-day single matches.<ref name=rcmg2016/> The 1969 match at Royal Birkdale was tied. Coles beat [[Tommy Aaron]] in the morning singles but lost to [[Dan Sikes]] in the afternoon.<ref name=rcmg2016/>

Coles made a remarkable start to the 1970 season. In March he won the Wentworth Foursomes with Peter Davidson.<ref name=wf/> He then won the [[Italian BP Open]] and the [[Walworth Aloyco Tournament]] in Italy, before travelling to Spain where he was runner-up in both the [[Madrid Open (golf)|Madrid Open]] and the [[Spanish Open]].<ref name=ibo/><ref name=wa/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jZJAAAAAIBAJ&pg=6560%2C4125577 |title=Coles overtaken |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=20 April 1970 |page=4}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph/133055941/ |title=Three-putts finish Coles' chances |first=Donald |last=Steel |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=27 April 1970 |page=29 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Returning to England he was runner-up in the [[Penfold Tournament]] in early May, and then in successive weeks he won the Southern Professional Championship, won the [[Sumrie Better-Ball]] with [[Bernard Hunt]], was third in the [[Agfa-Gevaert Tournament]] and won the [[Daks Tournament]] at the end of the month.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hJVAAAAAIBAJ&pg=1614%2C526882 |title=Hunt triumphs in Penfold |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=4 May 1970 |page=5}}</ref><ref name=spc/><ref name=sbb/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lZVAAAAAIBAJ&pg=1629%2C4957243 |title=Third successive win for Hunt |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=25 May 1970 |page=5}}</ref><ref name=daks1970/> After recovering from a leg-muscle injury, he won the [[Bowmaker Tournament]] at the end of June, and was then tied for 6th in the [[1970 Open Championship]].<ref name=bow1970/><ref name="Brenner"/> Coles won the [[Harry Vardon Trophy]] for the second time, having previously won it in 1963.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=weo9AAAAIBAJ&pg=2945%2C926219 |title=Vardon Trophy for Coles |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=6 October 1970 |page=6}}</ref> Coles' continued his good form into 1971, winning four tournaments: the [[Penfold-Bournemouth Tournament]], the [[Daks Tournament]], the [[Carroll's International]] and the [[German Open (golf)|German Open]].<ref name=pb/><ref name=daks1971/><ref name=carolls1971/><ref name=go/> He led the points list for the [[1971 Ryder Cup]] in [[St. Louis]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Huk9AAAAIBAJ&pg=2143%2C3575325 |title=Bannerman in Ryder Cup team by being fourth in points table |first=Raymond |last=Jacobs |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=23 August 1971 |page=5}}</ref> He halved his single match with [[Frank Beard (golfer)|Frank Beard]] but lost to [[Jack Nicklaus]] in the second singles session.<ref name=rcmg2016/> He finished second in the 1971 Order of Merit, behind [[Peter Oosterhuis]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JeU9AAAAIBAJ&pg=6406%2C1164243 |title=Player tops British earnings list |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=6 November 1971 |page=4}}</ref>

Coles 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.<ref>The World of Professional Golf 1968, Mark H. McCormack</ref><ref>The World of Professional Golf 1970, Mark H. McCormack</ref>

===European Tour===
Coles was 37 when the [[European Tour]] started in 1972. He won seven times on the tour, six times between 1972 and 1978 and then in 1982 at the [[Sanyo Open]] in Barcelona.<ref name=etr/> At 48 years and 14 days he became the oldest winner on the tour and remained so until [[Des Smyth]] won in 2001 at the age of 48 years and 34 days.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.europeantour.com/dpworld-tour/news/articles/detail/the-oldest-winners-on-tour |title=The oldest winners in Tour history |publisher=[[European Tour]] |date=30 July 2020}}</ref> Coles also held the record for the number of consecutive cuts made in European Tour events, 56, until that record was passed by [[Bernhard Langer]] in the 1990s. He made the cut in every event between the 1973 [[Viyella PGA Championship]] and the [[1979 Open  Championship]], when he withdrew with an elbow injury.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/news/newsid=176347.html |publisher=European Tour |title=Most Consecutive Cuts Made |date=23 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905135523/http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/news/newsid=176347.html |archive-date=5 September 2015}}</ref> Coles was in the top-10 of the Order of Merit every year from 1972 to 1979, except 1977 when he was 11th. His highest finish in the Order of Merit was 5th place in [[1974 European Tour|1974]].<ref name=etold>{{cite web |url=http://www.europeantour.com/seniortour/players/playerid=39/record/index.html |title=Neil Coles |work=[[European Tour]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226115513/http://www.europeantour.com/seniortour/players/playerid=39/record/index.html |archive-date=26 December 2015}}</ref>

Coles had his best finish in the Open Championship in [[1973 Open Championship|1973]], finishing joint runner-up three strokes behind [[Tom Weiskopf]], after a final round of 66.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9JVAAAAAIBAJ&pg=2873%2C2875160 |title=Weiskopf win may be start of new phase |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |page=4 |date=16 July 1973}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=P5JAAAAAIBAJ&pg=2626%2C2920049 |title=Watson puts on his Sunday best |newspaper=Glasgow Herald |last=Jacobs |first=Raymond |date=14 July 1975 |page=16}}</ref> He also had a top-10 finish in [[1975 Open Championship|1975]] when he was tied for 7th place, despite a final round 74.<ref name="Brenner"/>

Coles qualified in second place for the [[1973 Ryder Cup]] team, his seventh successive Ryder Cup appearance, in which he had never been outside the top 5 in the qualification points list.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rJVAAAAAIBAJ&pg=1393%2C3956592 |title=Selectors stick to Ryder Cup table |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |page=4 |date=21 August 1973}}</ref> The match at [[Muirfield]] was tied after two day but the United States dominated the two singles sessions. Coles halved his match against [[Gay Brewer]] but lost 6&5 to [[Lee Trevino]] in the afternoon session.<ref name=rcmg2016/> Coles withdrew from consideration for the [[1975 Ryder Cup]] in [[Pennsylvania]], because of his fear of flying and because it was impractical to travel by sea.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Coles drop out of Ryder Cup |date=6 August 1975 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |page=18}}</ref> Coles finished in 15th place in the points list for the [[1977 Ryder Cup]] at [[Royal Lytham]], having missed some events with back trouble. The top 8 in the list were automatic selections and were joined by four further players selected by a committee of three consisting of Coles himself, the team captain [[Brian Huggett]] and [[Brian Barnes (golfer)|Brian Barnes]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evening-standard/133106564/ |title=People in Sport |newspaper=[[The Evening Standard]] |date=15 August 1977 |page=29 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The committee chose Coles as one their four selections.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=X5BAAAAAIBAJ&pg=3515%2C3308557 |title=Ken in Ryder Cup |first=Raymond |last=Jacobs |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=16 August 1977 |page=28}}</ref> The selection seemed justified when Coles won the [[Tournament Players Championship (United Kingdom)|Tournament Players Championship]] the week before the Ryder Cup.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lvY-AAAAIBAJ&pg=2110%2C2672882 |title=Coles proves he is worth place |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=12 September 1977 |page=25}}</ref> The match itself was a disappointment with the United States winning by five points with Coles losing all his three matches.<ref name=rcmg2016/>

1977 was Coles' last appearance in the Ryder Cup. In 8 contests he played 40 matches, winning 12, losing 21 and halving 7. However his singles record was better with 5 wins, 6 defeats and 4 halved matches. There were two sets of singles matches from 1961 to 1975 and Coles played in 7 of those matches. His total of 15 singles matches is the most for any Ryder Cup player and the 7 points he won in these matches is still tied for the most singles points won.<ref name=rcmg2016/>

Coles continued to play in European Tour events until his mid-50s, having his last top-10 finish, a tie for 6th place, at the 1987 [[Panasonic European Open]] at the age of 52.<ref name=etc>{{cite web |title=Neil Coles |url=https://www.europeantour.com/players/39/career-record?tour=dpworld-tour |publisher=European Tour |access-date=8 October 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=mTg1AAAAIBAJ&pg=2396%2C3691762 |title=Paul's pressure putt is the turning point as he win European Open title |first=Raymond |last=Jacobs |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=14 September 1987 |page=9}}</ref> In addition, Coles was, since its inception in the 1980s, until November 2013, the chairman of the [[PGA European Tour]]'s board of directors, when he was replaced by David Williams.<ref>{{cite news |last=Carter |first=Iain |date=2 December 2013 |title=European Tour appoints first non-professional chairman |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/25184206 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref> During this era, he was also a [[golf course architect]] designing courses such as Chartham Park.<ref name="aboutus">{{cite web |title=About us - Neil Coles MBE |url=http://neilcoles.com/about.htm |access-date=18 November 2016 |work=Neil Coles and Associates}}</ref>

===Senior career===
The [[European Senior Tour]] started in 1992, when Coles was 57 years old. Before then there were very few professional seniors events in the UK. The [[PGA Seniors Championship]] had been played since 1957 and [[The Senior Open Championship]] was started in 1987. Coles dominated the PGA Seniors Championship between 1985, when he first played in it, to 1991. He won the events in 1985, two strokes ahead of the 60-year-old [[Christy O'Connor Snr]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=f6VAAAAAIBAJ&pg=2577%2C6099930 |title=O'Connor fails to catch 'young fox' |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=29 July 1985 |page=15}}</ref> He won again in 1986 and for a third time in 1987, when the event was reduced to 54 holes by bad weather.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZLZAAAAAIBAJ&pg=4075%2C671134 |title=Jittery Coles wins as Butler charge just fails |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=4 August 1986 |page=10}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Times |date=22 June 1987 |page=38 |title=Coles wins title for third time}}</ref> He was tied for third place in 1988 behind [[Peter Thomson (golfer)|Peter Thomson]] before winning for a fourth time in 1989.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8zNAAAAAIBAJ&pg=3105%2C7425165 |title=Thomson makes in a double |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=27 June 1988 |page=9}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ahM1AAAAIBAJ&pg=2938%2C258587 |title=Scots find Coles too hot to handle |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=19 June 1989 |page=22}}</ref> In 1990 and 1991 he was the runner-up, behind [[Brian Waites]] on both occasions.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Times |date=18 June 1990 |page=45 |title=Newcomer deprives old hand}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Times |date=17 June 1991 |page=35 |title=In brief - Golf}}</ref> Coles won the [[1987 Seniors' British Open|inaugural Senior Open Championship in 1987]] at [[Turnberry (golf course)|Turnberry]], a stroke ahead of [[Bob Charles (golfer)|Bob Charles]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=T6w1AAAAIBAJ&pg=3679%2C6169710 |title=Charles finally closed out by chairman Coles' casting vote |last=Jacobs |first=Raymond |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=27 July 1987 |page=9}}</ref> The [[1988 Seniors' British Open|following year]], again at Turnberry. he was just a stroke behind the leader [[Gary Player]] after three rounds, but a last round 79 dropped him into a tie for 6th place; Player scoring 69 to win the title.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jw01AAAAIBAJ&pg=3945%2C6042424 |title=Vintage Player lands a second slam |last=Jacobs |first=Raymond |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=25 July 1988 |page=7}}</ref> He had further top-10 finishes in the [[1989 Seniors' British Open|1989]] and [[1991 Seniors' British Open|1991]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kxI1AAAAIBAJ&pg=2623%2C4083590 |title=Charles streaks away to take Seniors title as Casper's bid falters |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=31 July 1989 |page=17}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph/133270242/ |title=Verwey's big pay day |first=Bob |last=Rodney |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=15 July 1991 |page=29 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> From 1987 to 1991 it was only in the [[1990 Seniors' British Open]] that he failed to get into the top 10.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph/133271129/ |title=Player's triumph recalls '59 Open |first=Peter |last=Donald |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=30 July 1990 |page=41 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

Coles played on the [[European Seniors Tour]] from its start in 1992, making his final appearances in 2007.<ref name=etl>{{cite web |title=Neil Coles |url=https://www.europeantour.com/players/39/career-record?tour=legends-tour |publisher=European Tour |access-date=11 October 2023}}</ref> Although he never won the [[PGA Seniors Championship]] or the [[Senior Open Championship]] during this period, he did win 9 of the regular 54-hole events between 1992 and 2002.<ref name=etl/> His last win was in the 2002 [[Lawrence Batley Seniors]] at the age of 67 years and 276 days, beating his own record for the oldest winner of a European Seniors Tour event, set in 2000.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/news/newsid=186327.html |title=Oldest winners on the European Senior Tour |work=[[European Tour]] |date=14 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910022603/http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/news/newsid=186327.html |archive-date=10 September 2015}}</ref> Amongst his high finishes was joint runner-up behind [[John Fourie]] in the [[1992 Senior British Open]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph/133310560/ |title=Fourie recovers in time |first=Bob |last=Rodney |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=27 July 1992 |page=38 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> He had a total of 68 top-10 finishes between 1992 and 2004, the last being in the [[Bovis Lend Lease European Senior Masters]] three weeks before his 70th birthday.<ref name=etl/> Coles finished in the top ten on the [[European Seniors Tour]]'s Order of Merit every year from 1992 to 2000, except 1997, his best position being 3rd in 1992.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/news/newsid=186625.html |title=John Jacobs Trophy Winners |work=[[European Tour]] |date=14 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909205127/http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/news/newsid=186625.html |archive-date=9 September 2015}}</ref> He was 11th in the Order of Merit in 2002.<ref name=etold/>

==Awards and honors==
In 2000, Coles was inducted into the [[World Golf Hall of Fame]]

==Personal life==
Coles married Ann Keep, after growing up together in [[Letchworth]], [[Hertfordshire]]. They had two sons, Keith and Gary. Ann died in 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.europeantour.com/european-tour/news/articles/detail/ann-coles-obituary/ |title=Ann Coles: obituary |date=30 June 2015 |publisher=European Tour}}</ref> Gary was also a professional golfer and followed his father by winning the [[PGA Assistants' Championship]] in 1985, 29 years after his father.<ref name=aboutus/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qqNAAAAAIBAJ&pg=3281%2C3437356 |title=Gary a chip off old Coles block |date=17 August 1985 |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |page=19}}</ref> He was appointed [[Member of the Order of the British Empire]] (MBE) in the [[1982 New Year Honours]],<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=48837 |page=13 |date=30 December 1981}}</ref>

==Professional wins (55)==
===European Tour wins (7)===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
!No.!!Date!!Tournament!!Winning score!!Margin of<br>victory!!Runner(s)-up
|-
|align=center|1
|align=right|1 Jul [[1972 European Tour|1972]]
|[[Sunbeam Electric Scottish Open]]
|−5 (72-72-70-69=283)
|Playoff
|{{flagicon|WAL}} [[Brian Huggett]]
|-
|align=center|2
|align=right|14 Apr [[1973 European Tour|1973]]
|[[Spanish Open]]
|−6 (67-71-72-72=282)
|3 strokes
|{{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} [[Tienie Britz]], {{flagicon|WAL}} [[Craig Defoy]]
|-
|align=center|3
|align=right|26 May 1973
|[[Benson & Hedges Match Play Championship]]
|colspan=2 align=center|2 up
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Doug McClelland (golfer)|Doug McClelland]] 
|-
|align=center|4
|align=right|21 Sep [[1974 European Tour|1974]]
|[[W.D. & H.O. Wills Tournament]]
|−5 (68-69-73-73=283)
|1 stroke
|{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Jack Newton]]
|-
|align=center|5
|align=right|31 May [[1976 European Tour|1976]]
|[[Penfold PGA Championship]]
|E (70-69-71-70=280)
|Playoff
|{{flagicon|IRL}} [[Eamonn Darcy]], {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} [[Gary Player]]
|-
|align=center|6
|align=right|10 Sep [[1977 European Tour|1977]]
|[[Tournament Players Championship (United Kingdom)|Tournament Players Championship]]
|−4 (76-70-73-69=288)
|1 stroke
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Peter Dawson (golfer)|Peter Dawson]]
|-
|align=center|7
|align=right|10 Oct [[1982 European Tour|1982]]
|[[Sanyo Open]]
|−14 (71-67-64-64=266)
|1 stroke
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Gary Cullen]]
|}

Source:<ref name=etr>{{cite web |title=Neil Coles |url=https://www.europeantour.com/players/39/results |publisher=European Tour |access-date=6 October 2023}}</ref>

'''European Tour playoff record (2–1)'''
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
!No.!!Year!!Tournament!!Opponent(s)!!Result
|-style="background:#D0F0C0;"
|align=center|1
|[[1972 European Tour|1972]]
|[[Sunbeam Electric Scottish Open]]
|{{flagicon|WAL}} [[Brian Huggett]]
|Won with birdie on second extra hole
|-style="background:#D0F0C0;"
|align=center|2
|[[1976 European Tour|1976]]
|[[Penfold PGA Championship]]
|{{flagicon|IRL}} [[Eamonn Darcy]], {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} [[Gary Player]]
|Won with par on third extra hole<br>Player eliminated by par on first hole
|-style="background:#F2C1D1;"
|align=center|3
|[[1978 European Tour|1978]]
|[[Benson & Hedges International Open]]
|{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Noel Ratcliffe]], {{flagicon|USA}} [[Lee Trevino]]
|Trevino won with par on fourth extra hole<br>Ratcliffe eliminated by par on first hole
|}

Sources:<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-guardian/132988626 |title=Coles makes a worthy champion |first=Pat |last=Ward-Thomas |newspaper=The Guardian |date=3 July 1972 |page=17 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NJVAAAAAIBAJ&pg=2277%2C320052 |title=Popular win for quiet man Coles |first=Raymond |last=Jacobs |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=1 June 1976 |page=28}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HLdAAAAAIBAJ&pg=2401%2C2883340 |title=Trevino ends play-off jinx |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=14 August 1978 |page=14}}</ref>

===Great Britain and Ireland wins (18)===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
!Date!!Tournament!!Winning score!!Margin of<br>victory!!Runner(s)-up!!Ref.
|-
|25 May 1956
|[[Gor-Ray Cup]]
|70-71-68-68=277
|4 strokes
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Peter Butler (golfer)|Peter Butler]]
|<ref name=gr>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8JxAAAAAIBAJ&pg=2948%2C3368816 |title=Coles wins assistants' title by four strokes |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=26 May 1956 |page=9}}</ref>
|-
|26 May 1960
|[[Coombe Hill Assistants' Tournament]]
|66-70-71-73=280
|1 stroke
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Lionel Platts]]
|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CnhAAAAAIBAJ&pg=1870%2C3758133 |title=Assistants' win for Coles |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |page=13 |date=27 May 1960}}</ref>
|-
|7 Oct 1961
|[[Ballantine Tournament]]
|71-72-69-65=277
|5 strokes
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Ken Bousfield]]
|<ref name=ballantine>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=c4VAAAAAIBAJ&pg=5605%2C6020838 |title=Magnificent final round by Coles |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=9 October 1961 |page=9}}</ref>
|-
|22 Sep 1962
|[[Senior Service Tournament]]
|70-69-65-73=277
|1 stroke
|{{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} [[Denis Hutchinson]], {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Kel Nagle]],<br>{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Peter Thomson (golfer)|Peter Thomson]]
|<ref name=sst>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=z3xAAAAAIBAJ&pg=1883%2C3302993 |title=Coles fine win at Dalmahoy |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=24 September 1962 |page=4}}</ref>
|-
|4 May 1963
|[[Martini International]]
|74-74-71-79=298
|colspan=2| Shared title with {{flagicon|IRL}}  [[Christy O'Connor Snr]]
|<ref name=martini>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=I2xAAAAAIBAJ&pg=2034%2C924987 |title=O'Connor and Coles joint winners |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=6 May 1963 |page=5}}</ref>
|-
|15 Jun 1963
|[[Daks Tournament]]
|75-68-69-68=280
|colspan=2|Shared title with {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Peter Alliss]]
|<ref name=daks1963>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=X2xAAAAAIBAJ&pg=2086%2C2424414 |title=Daks tournament ends in tie |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=17 June 1963 |page=11}}</ref>
|-
|6 Jun 1964
|[[Daks Tournament]]
|67-74-73-68=282
|1 stroke
|{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Peter Thomson (golfer)|Peter Thomson]]
|<ref name=daks1964>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2mxAAAAAIBAJ&pg=1761%2C1091519 |title=Coles wins Daks by stroke |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=8 June 1964 |page=4}}</ref>
|-
|30 Jun 1964
|[[Bowmaker Tournament]]
|68-68=136
|1 stroke
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Peter Alliss]]
|<ref name=bow1964>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=G2RAAAAAIBAJ&pg=4092%2C107305 |title=Coles wins £650 in Bowmaker event – Alliss one stroke more |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |page=11 |date=1 July 1964}}</ref>
|-
|5 Sep 1964
|[[News of the World Match Play]]
|colspan=2 align=center|3 & 2
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Peter Butler (golfer)|Peter Butler]]
|<ref name=notw1964>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph/132988436 |title=Mechanical Coles proves worthy champion |first=Leonard |last=Crawley |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=7 September 1964 |page=9 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
|-
|18 Jul 1965
|[[Carroll's International]]
|68-67-69-65=269
|6 strokes
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Tommy Horton]], {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Harry Weetman]]
|<ref name=carrolls1965>{{cite news |newspaper=The Times |date=19 July 1965 |page=3 |title=Last round of 65 brings Coles victory}}</ref>
|-
|5 Sep 1965
|[[News of the World Match Play]]
|colspan=2 align=center|19 holes
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Lionel Platts]]
|<ref name=notw1965>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=b2xAAAAAIBAJ&pg=2797%2C795265 |title=Coles keeps match-play title – Victory in final at nineteenth |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=6 September 1965 |page=4}}</ref>
|-
|25 Jun 1966
|[[Pringle of Scotland Tournament]]
|69-67-69-68=273
|3 strokes
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Peter Alliss]]
|<ref name=pos>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2X9AAAAAIBAJ&pg=1152%2C4520765 |title=Coles victory in Pringle |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=27 June 1966 |page=5}}</ref>
|-
|17 Sep 1966
|[[Dunlop Masters]]
|70-69-70-69=278
|1 stroke
|{{flagicon|IRL}} [[Christy O'Connor Snr]], {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Peter Thomson (golfer)|Peter Thomson]]
|<ref name=dunlop>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=X989AAAAIBAJ&pg=1812%2C3019483 |title=N. C. Coles triumphs in Dunlop Masters |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |first=Raymond |last=Jacobs |date=19 September 1966}}</ref>
|-
|30 May 1970
|[[Daks Tournament]]
|67-70-71-73=281
|3 strokes
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Peter Wilcock]]
|<ref name=daks1970>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=T5JAAAAAIBAJ&pg=3878%2C50734 |title=Coles holds off challenge |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=1 June 1970 |page=5}}</ref>
|-
|30 Jun 1970
|[[Bowmaker Tournament]]
|66-66=132
|3 strokes
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Jimmy Hitchcock (golfer)|Jimmy Hitchcock]]
|<ref name=bow1970>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zZFAAAAAIBAJ&pg=6357%2C57084 |title=Coles earnings for season now close to £10,000 |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |page=6 |date=1 July 1970}}</ref>
|-
|8 May 1971
|[[Penfold-Bournemouth Tournament]]
|71-74-69-70=284
|4 strokes
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Stuart Brown (golfer)|Stuart Brown]], {{flagicon|SCO}} [[Gordon Cunningham (golfer)|Gordon Cunningham]],<br>{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Doug Sewell]], {{flagicon|SCO}} [[Ronnie Shade]]
|<ref name=pb>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=N889AAAAIBAJ&pg=1983%2C1783705 |title=Coles takes Penfold first prize with 69 and 70 on last day |first=Raymond |last=Jacobs |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=10 May 1971 |page=4}}</ref>
|-
|5 Jun 1971
|[[Daks Tournament]]
|70-71-70-73=284
|colspan=2| Shared title with {{flagicon|WAL}} [[Brian Huggett]]
|<ref name=daks1971>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=cuA9AAAAIBAJ&pg=3796%2C1327581 |title=Huggett and Coles in tie |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=7 June 1971 |page=10}}</ref>
|-
|20 Jun 1971
|[[Carroll's International]]
|69-67-72-68=276
|3 strokes
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Peter Oosterhuis]]
|<ref name=carolls1971>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=fuA9AAAAIBAJ&pg=1429%2C4234310 |title=Coles gains second win of season |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=21 June 1971 |page=4}}</ref>
|}

===Continental Europe wins (4)===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
!Date!!Tournament!!Winning score!!Margin of<br>victory!!Runner(s)-up!!Ref.
|-
|24 Aug 1963
|[[Engadine Open]]
|276
|2 strokes
|{{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} [[Stewart Davies (golfer)|Stewart Davies]], {{flagicon|EGY}} [[Abdel Halim Kahoul]]
|<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UFxAAAAAIBAJ&pg=2977,3372355 |title=Swiss Victory for Coles |date=26 August 1963 |website=The Glasgow Herald}}</ref>
|-
|29 Mar 1970
|[[Italian BP Open]]
|69-73-72-68=282
|3 strokes
|{{flagicon|ESP}} [[Valentín Barrios]]
|<ref name=ibo>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph/132987825 |title=Coles top in Rome |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=30 March 1970 |page=13 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
|-
|6 Apr 1970
|[[Walworth Aloyco Tournament]]
|282
|3 strokes
|{{flagicon|IRL}} [[Christy O'Connor Snr]], {{flagicon|WAL}} [[Brian Huggett]]
|<ref name=wa>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IOJAAAAAIBAJ&pg=2657%2C852836 |title=Jacklin finishes eleventh |newspaper=[[Evening Times]] |date=6 April 1970 |page=24}}</ref>
|-
|25 Jul 1971
|[[German Open (golf)|German Open]]
|69-71-71-68=279
|4 strokes
|{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Peter Thomson (golfer)|Peter Thomson]]
|<ref name=go>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=YYNQAAAAIBAJ&pg=1407%2C4359779 |title=Gallacher third after 75 |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=26 July 1971 |page=5}}</ref>
|}

===Other wins (11)===
*1962 [[Sunningdale Foursomes]] (with [[Ross Whitehead]])<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bnxAAAAAIBAJ&pg=3019%2C4875290 |title=Whitehead's foursomes double |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=31 March 1962 |page=5}}</ref>
*1963 Wentworth Foursomes (with [[Keith Warren (golfer)|Keith Warren]])<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kmxAAAAAIBAJ&pg=1891%2C2288709 |title=Win for Warren and Coles |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=16 March 1963 |page=9}}</ref>
*1967 [[Sunningdale Foursomes]] (with [[Keith Warren (golfer)|Keith Warren]])<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109944972/the-daily-telegraph/ |title=Putting errors almost rob Coles & Warren |first=Geoffrey |last=Cousins |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=25 March 1967 |page=6 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
*1969 Carlyon Bay Hotel Tournament<ref name=cbht/>
*1970 Wentworth Foursomes (with [[Peter Davidson (golfer)|Peter Davidson]]),<ref name=wf>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3JRAAAAAIBAJ&pg=6598%2C2738517 |title=Davidson and Coles fight back |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=14 March 1970 |page=4}}</ref> Southern Professional Championship,<ref name=spc>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph/132956098/ |title=Coles triumphs over Grubb at second play-off hole |first=Geoffrey |last=Cousins |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=9 May 1970 |page=21 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> [[Sumrie Better-Ball]] (with [[Bernard Hunt]]),<ref name=sbb>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kJVAAAAAIBAJ&pg=3801%2C3412374 |title=Hunt and Coles invincible |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=18 May 1970 |page=4}}</ref> Carlyon Bay Hotel Tournament<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zOo9AAAAIBAJ&pg=5754%2C3589907 |title=Coles wins by 8 strokes |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=19 October 1970 |page=5 |access-date=21 April 2020 |via=Google News Archive}}</ref>
*1971 Carlyon Bay Hotel Tournament<ref name=cbht>{{cite news |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CS151614802/TTDA?u=bli_ttda&sid=TTDA&xid=e3864641 |title=Top prize to Coles for third time |newspaper=The Times |first=Peter |last=Ryde |date=18 October 1971 |page=9 |access-date=21 April 2020 |via=The Times Digital Archive}}</ref>
*1973 [[Sumrie Better-Ball]] (with [[Bernard Hunt]])<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JpNAAAAAIBAJ&pg=2912%2C4040570 |title=Hunt and Coles play down their five-shot victory |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=21 May 1973 |page=5}}</ref>
*1980 [[Sunningdale Foursomes]] (with [[Doug McClelland (golfer)|Doug McClelland]])<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109946630/the-daily-telegraph/ |title=McClelland helps Coles to triple |first=Michael |last=Williams |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=29 March 1980 |page=28 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

===Senior PGA Tour wins (1)===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
! Legend
|- style="background:#e5d1cb;"
|Senior major championships (1)
|-
|Other Senior PGA Tour (0)
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
!No.
!Date
!Tournament
!Winning score
!Margin of<br>victory
!Runner-up
|-style="background:#e5d1cb;"
|align=center|1
|align=right|26 Jul [[1987 Senior PGA Tour|1987]]
|'''[[1987 Seniors' British Open|Seniors' British Open]]'''
|−1 (66-73-67-73=279)
|1 stroke
|{{flagicon|NZL}} [[Bob Charles (golfer)|Bob Charles]]
|}

Source:<ref name=sbo/>

===European Seniors Tour wins (9)===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
!No.
!Date
!Tournament
!Winning score
!Margin of<br>victory
!Runner(s)-up
|-
|align=center|1
|align=right|4 Oct [[1992 European Seniors Tour|1992]]
|[[Collingtree Homes Seniors Classic]]
| +2 (72-72-74=218)
|3 strokes
|{{flagicon|ZAF|1982}} [[John Fourie]], {{flagicon|NIR}} [[Hugh Jackson (golfer)|Hugh Jackson]]
|-
|align=center|2
|align=right|23 May [[1993 European Seniors Tour|1993]]
|[[Gary Player Seniors Classic]]
|E (76-66-71=213)
|2 strokes
|{{flagicon|SCO}} [[George Will (golfer)|George Will]]
|-
|align=center|3
|align=right|26 Aug [[1995 European Seniors Tour|1995]]
|[[Collingtree Seniors]] (2)
|−5 (71-72-68=211)
|4 strokes
|{{flagicon|SCO}} [[Brian Barnes (golfer)|Brian Barnes]]
|-
|align=center|4
|align=right|22 Jun [[1997 European Seniors Tour|1997]]
|[[Ryder Collingtree Seniors Classic]] (3)
|−8 (68-71-69=208)
|7 strokes
|{{flagicon|ESP}} [[Antonio Garrido (golfer)|Antonio Garrido]], {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Brian Waites]]
|-
|align=center|5
|align=right|31 May [[1998 European Seniors Tour|1998]]
|[[Philips PFA Golf Classic]]
|−13 (67-69-67=203)
|Playoff
|{{flagicon|NIR}} [[David Jones (golfer)|David Jones]]
|-
|align=center|6
|align=right|1 Aug [[1999 European Seniors Tour|1999]]
|[[Energis Senior Masters]]
|−11 (68-69-68=205)
|1 stroke
|{{flagicon|SCO}} [[David Huish]]
|-
|align=center|7
|align=right|22 Aug 1999
|[[Dalmahoy Scottish Seniors Open]]
|−10 (69-68-69=206)
|1 stroke
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Jerry Bruner]], {{flagicon|USA}} [[Jay Dolan]]
|-
|align=center|8
|align=right|4 Jun [[2000 European Seniors Tour|2000]]
|[[Microlease Jersey Seniors Open]]
|−9 (66-71-70=207)
|3 strokes
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Jerry Bruner]]
|-
|align=center|9
|align=right|29 Jun [[2002 European Seniors Tour|2002]]
|[[Lawrence Batley Seniors]]
|−4 (72-67-70=209)
|Playoff
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[David Creamer]], {{flagicon|USA}} [[Steve Stull]]
|}
Sources:<ref name=estc>{{cite web |url=http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/news/newsid=186334.html |title=Senior Past Champions Current Events |work=[[PGA European Tour]] |date=14 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910022935/http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/news/newsid=186334.html |archive-date=10 September 2015}}</ref><ref name=estf>{{cite web |url=http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/news/newsid=186334.html |title=Senior Past Champions Former Events |work=[[PGA European Tour]] |date=14 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907123227/http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/news/newsid=186399.html |archive-date=7 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/news/newsid=186278.html |publisher=European Tour |title=Most Official Staysure Tour Victories |date=12 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826214721/http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/news/newsid=186278.html |archive-date=26 August 2018}}</ref>

'''European Seniors Tour playoff record (2–2)'''
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
!No.!!Year!!Tournament!!Opponent(s)!!Result
|-style="background:#D0F0C0;"
|align=center|1
|[[1998 European Seniors Tour|1998]]
|[[Philips PFA Golf Classic]]
|{{flagicon|NIR}} [[David Jones (golfer)|David Jones]]
|Won with birdie on first extra hole
|-style="background:#F2C1D1;"
|align=center|2
|1998
|[[Schroder Senior Masters]]
|{{flagicon|WAL}} [[Brian Huggett]], {{flagicon|NIR}} [[Eddie Polland]]
|Huggett won with birdie on first extra hole
|-style="background:#F2C1D1;"
|align=center|3
|[[2000 European Seniors Tour|2000]]
|[[Lawrence Batley Seniors]]
|{{flagicon|ZAF}} [[John Fourie]], {{flagicon|SCO}} [[David Huish]]
|Huish won with par on first extra hole
|-style="background:#D0F0C0;"
|align=center|4
|[[2002 European Seniors Tour|2002]]
|[[Lawrence Batley Seniors]]
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[David Creamer]], {{flagicon|USA}} [[Steve Stull]]
|Won with birdie on fifth extra hole<br>Stull eliminated by par on fourth hole
|}
Source:<ref name=estpo>{{cite web |title=Individual Play-off Records since 1992 |url=http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/news/newsid=186144.html |publisher=European Tour |date=14 October 2014 |access-date=18 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160913105301/http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/news/newsid=186144.html |archive-date=13 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph/133275380/ |title=Neil Coles |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=1 June 1998 |page=44 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph/133275571/ |title=Huggett ends wait with play-off win |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=3 August 1998 |page=42 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph/133276826/ |title=New Coles record |first=Colin |last=Callander |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=1 July 2002 |page=43 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

===Senior circuit wins (5)===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
!Date
!Tournament
!Winning score
!Margin of<br>victory
!Runner-up
|-
|28 Jul 1985
|[[Trusthouse Forte PGA Seniors Championship]]
|−4 (72-67-70-75=284)
|2 strokes
|{{flagicon|IRL}} [[Christy O'Connor Snr]]
|-
|3 Aug 1986
|[[Trusthouse Forte PGA Seniors Championship]]
|−4 (71-70-67-68=276)
|1 stroke
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Peter Butler (golfer)|Peter Butler]]
|-
|21 Jun 1987
|[[Trusthouse Forte PGA Seniors Championship]]
|−13 (65-70-71=206)
|4 strokes
|{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Peter Thomson (golfer)|Peter Thomson]]
|-
|26 Jul 1987
|[[Seniors' British Open]]
|−1 (66-73-67-73=279)
|1 stroke
|{{flagicon|NZL}} [[Bob Charles (golfer)|Bob Charles]]
|-
|18 Jun 1989
|[[Trusthouse Forte PGA Seniors Championship]]
| +1 (71-66-72-68=277)
|4 strokes
|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Peter Butler (golfer)|Peter Butler]]
|}

Sources:<ref name=estc/><ref name=sbo/>

===Other senior wins (1)===
*1991 Léman International Senior Trophy<ref name=estf/>

==Results in major championships==
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;text-align:center;"
!Tournament
!1956
!1957
!1958
!1959
|-
|align=left|[[Masters Tournament]]
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|-
|align=left|[[The Open Championship]]
|CUT
|CUT
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|T21
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;text-align:center;"
!Tournament
!1960
!1961
!1962
!1963
!1964
!1965
!1966
!1967
!1968
!1969
|-
|align=left|[[Masters Tournament]]
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|WD
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|-
|align=left|[[The Open Championship]]
|CUT
|style="background:yellow;"|T3
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|T20
|CUT
|T12
|CUT
|T36
|style="background:yellow;"|T6
|T11
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;text-align:center;"
!Tournament
!1970
!1971
!1972
!1973
!1974
!1975
!1976
!1977
!1978
!1979
|-
|align=left|[[Masters Tournament]]
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|-
|align=left|[[The Open Championship]]
|style="background:yellow;"|T6
|T22
|CUT
|style="background:yellow;"|T2
|T13
|style="background:yellow;"|T7
|T28
|T41
|T48
|WD
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;text-align:center;"
!Tournament
!1980
!1981
!1982
!1983
!1984
!1985
|-
|align=left|[[Masters Tournament]]
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|style="background:#eeeeee;"|
|-
|align=left|[[The Open Championship]]
|T29
|T39
|T42
|CUT
|CUT
|CUT
|}
{{legend|yellow|Top 10}}
{{legend|#eeeeee|Did not play}}
CUT = missed the half-way cut (3rd round cut in 1972, 1983 and 1984 Open Championships)<br>
WD = Withdrew<br>
"T" indicates a tie for a place<br>
''Note: Coles never played in the [[U.S. Open (golf)|U.S. Open]] or the [[PGA Championship]].''

===Summary===
{| class=wikitable style=text-align:center
!Tournament !! Wins !! 2nd !! 3rd !! Top-5 !! Top-10 !! Top-25 !! Events !! Cuts made
|-
|align=left|[[Masters Tournament]]         || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 ||  0 || 1 || 1
|-
|align=left|[[U.S. Open (golf)|U.S. Open]] || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 ||  0 || 0 || 0
|-
|align=left|[[The Open Championship]]      || 0 || 1 || 1 || 2 || 5 || 11 || 28 || 18
|-
|align=left|[[PGA Championship]]           || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 ||  0 || 0 || 0
|-
!Totals                                    !! 0 !! 1 !! 1 !! 2 !! 5 !! 11 !! 29 !! 19
|}
*Most consecutive cuts made – 6 (1973 Open Championship – 1978 Open Championship)

Source:<ref name="Brenner">{{cite book |title=The Majors of Golf: Complete Results of the Open, the U.S. Open, the PGA Championship and the Masters, 1860-2008 |volume=1 |first=Morgan G. |last=Brenner |year=2009 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-0-7864-3360-5}}</ref>

==Senior major championships==
===Wins (1)===
{|class="wikitable"
!Year!!Championship!!Winning score!!Margin!!Runner-up
|-style="background:#ABCDEF;"
| 1987 ||[[Seniors' British Open]] ||−1 (66-73-67-73=279)||1 stroke|| {{flagicon|NZL}} [[Bob Charles (golfer)|Bob Charles]]
|}

Source:<ref name=sbo>{{cite news |first=Raymond |last=Jacobs |date=27 July 1987 |title=Charles finally closed out by chairman Coles' casting vote |page=9 |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=T6w1AAAAIBAJ&pg=3679%2C6169710 |access-date=5 April 2022}}</ref>

==Team appearances==
*[[Ryder Cup]] (representing Great Britain and Ireland): [[1961 Ryder Cup|1961]], [[1963 Ryder Cup|1963]], [[1965 Ryder Cup|1965]], [[1967 Ryder Cup|1967]], [[1969 Ryder Cup|1969]] (tie), [[1971 Ryder Cup|1971]], [[1973 Ryder Cup|1973]], [[1977 Ryder Cup|1977]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://2014rcmediaguide.com/2014RyderCupMediaGuide/ |title=2014 Ryder Cup Media and Players' Guide |accessdate=September 30, 2014 |url-status=usurped |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006074322/http://2014rcmediaguide.com/2014RyderCupMediaGuide/ |archivedate=October 6, 2014 }}</ref>
*[[World Cup (men's golf)|World Cup]] (representing England): [[1963 Canada Cup|1963]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0mtAAAAAIBAJ&pg=2176%2C4590511 |title=Exciting play by United States |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=29 October 1963 |page=6 |first=P.A. |last=Ward-Thomas}}</ref> [[1968 World Cup (men's golf)|1968]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/501341975/?terms=%22World%2BCup%22%2Bgolf |title=More on golf: All the scores |newspaper=The Province |location=Vancouver, British Columbia |agency=Associated Press |date=18 November 1968 |page=18 |via=newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
*[[R.T.V. International Trophy]] (representing England): 1967 (winners)<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HFxAAAAAIBAJ&pg=6175%2C4296815 |title=England's clean sweep in R.T.V. Internationals |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |page=4 |date=28 August 1967}}</ref>
*[[Double Diamond International]] (representing England): 1971 (winners),<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wNk9AAAAIBAJ&pg=1847%2C1404601 |title=Scotland lose all but one singles against English |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=25 October 1971 |page=5}}</ref> 1973,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=OZFAAAAAIBAJ&pg=2660%2C292982 |title=Scotland's £5000 team triumph |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=3 September 1973 |page=5}}</ref> 1975 (playing captain),<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9I5AAAAAIBAJ&pg=3106%2C6608231 |title=Scots just miss second place |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=29 September 1975 |page=17}}</ref> 1976 (winners),<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=r5FAAAAAIBAJ&pg=5774%2C4264856 |title=Coles - Double Diamond triumph |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=23 August 1976 |page=15}}</ref> 1977<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Y5BAAAAAIBAJ&pg=3631%2C2381118 |title=Wales left to carry home flag |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=20 August 1977 |page=16}}</ref>
*[[Philip Morris International (golf)|Marlboro Nations' Cup/Philip Morris International]] (representing England): 1973,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph/132988728 |title=Gallacher inspires Scots' 2-1 win over France in final |first=Michael |last=Williams |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=29 October 1973 |page=29 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> 1975<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bZBAAAAAIBAJ&pg=2941%2C195890 |title=France's surprise win |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=2 June 1975 |page=17}}</ref>
*Sotogrande Match/[[Hennessy Cognac Cup]] (representing Great Britain and Ireland): 1974 (winners),<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=v49AAAAAIBAJ&pg=5380%2C606120 |title=Gallacher undefeated in British victory |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=4 November 1974 |page=4}}</ref> 1976 (winners),<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hd49AAAAIBAJ&pg=6100%2C4379757 |title=Horton and Jacklin clinch cup |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=20 September 1976 |page=15}}</ref> 1978 (winners),<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SgI-AAAAIBAJ&pg=3151%2C5419894 |title=Short game is golf answer |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=25 September 1978 |page=12}}</ref> 1980 (winners)<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=BcRAAAAAIBAJ&pg=6508%2C3280009 |title=Hennessy cheer for Britain |newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=15 September 1980 |page=20}}</ref>
*[[Praia d'El Rey European Cup]] (representing the European Seniors Tour): 1998 (tie),<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112096103/the-daily-telegraph |title=European Cup |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=16 November 1998 |page=46 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> 1999<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.europeantour.com/legends-tour/news/articles/detail/the-teams-x3548/ |title=1999 Praia D'el Rey Rover European Cup The Teams |date=19 March 2010 |publisher=PGA European Tour |access-date=27 October 2022}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of golfers with most European Senior Tour wins]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{official website|http://neilcoles.com}}
*{{EuroTour player|39}}
*{{World Golf Hall of Fame|neil-coles}}

{{BMW PGA Championship champions}}
{{navboxes|title=Neil Coles in the [[Ryder Cup]]
|list1=
{{1961 Great Britain Ryder Cup team}}
{{1963 Great Britain Ryder Cup team}}
{{1965 Great Britain Ryder Cup team}}
{{1967 Great Britain Ryder Cup team}}
{{1969 Great Britain Ryder Cup team}}
{{1971 Great Britain Ryder Cup team}}
{{1973 Great Britain and Ireland Ryder Cup team}}
{{1977 Great Britain and Ireland Ryder Cup team}}
}}
{{Senior British Open Championship champions}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Coles, Neil}}
[[Category:English male golfers]]
[[Category:European Tour golfers]]
[[Category:European Senior Tour golfers]]
[[Category:World Golf Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Ryder Cup competitors for Europe]]
[[Category:Winners of senior major golf championships]]
[[Category:British golf course architects]]
[[Category:Golfers from London]]
[[Category:Members of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:People educated at St Christopher School]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Walton-on-Thames]]
[[Category:1934 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]