Jeff Hawkes

Jeffrey Owen Hawkes (born 3 September 1953) is a South African professional golfer, who formerly played on the European Tour. In 1991, he won the Canon European Masters Swiss Open.

Early life Hawkes was born in Mthatha (then Umtata), Eastern Cape, South Africa. In addition to his home in Bruma near Johannesburg, he also resides in Bracknell, England.

Amateur career Hawkes represented South Africa at the 1974 Eisenhower Trophy in the Dominican Republic, where he finished tied tenth individually and fourth with his team, behind United States, Japan and Brazil. In the semi-final, Hawkes beat Seve Ballesteros 3 and 2. Another second place finish came at the 1989 Torras Monte Carlo Golf Open at Monte Carlo Golf Club outside Monaco.

His sole European Tour win came at the 1991 Canon European Masters Swiss Open, were he held on a late charge from Seve Ballesteros, who finished one shot behind.

Hawkes has also won three tournaments 1988-1989 on the Southern Africa Tour, later named the Sunshine Tour.

His best finish in a major championship was tied 30th in The 1989 Open Championship at Royal Troon Golf Club, Scotland, after which he reached a career best 89th on the Official World Golf Ranking.

Hawkes joined the European Seniors Tour in 2004, but did not win at that level, although his playing schedule was rather limited as he also worked as a golf commentator and analyst for Sky Sports in the United Kingdom and ran his own waste management business in South Africa. He played his last tournament in 2010.

Professional Hennessy Cognac Cup (representing the Rest of the World): 1982