Introduction
The amazing history of John Letters is well known throughout the golfing industry thanks to years
of unwavering dedication to craftsmanship and engineering excellence. No where is this more evident
than with the volume of top Professionals that chose to play John Letters equipment, including Open
winner Fred Daly and major winners Lee Trevino and Gary Player. All of the Professionals and
accomplished amateurs who played John Letters equipment did so for one simple reason - stunning
performance!
John Letters' presence on the worldwide professional circuits is now well established
with the Senior European Tour player and all round
golfing legend
Sam Torrance OBE, as well as the likes of
European Tour Professional
Phillip Archer &
Chris Hanson making regular appearances at some of the world’s premier venues.
You can now keep up to date with the latest tour news by following our blog!
Torrance turned professional at sixteen and joined the European Tour at seventeen.
He achieved his first professional win in 1972 and his first European Tour win in 1976.
He won twenty-one times on the European Tour; only fellow Scot Colin Montgomerie has
accumulated more European Tour titles without winning one of golf's four major championships.
His best finish on the European Tour Order of Merit was second, which he achieved in 1984 and
1995. In total he finished in the top ten on the list ten times. He holds the record for the
most appearances on the European Tour, with over 700 events played at the close of the 2008
season. In 2003 Torrance became eligible to play in senior tournaments and he picked up his
first win on the European Seniors Tour in 2004. He finished first on the European Seniors
Tour's Order of Merit in 2005, 2006, 2009.
| Wins: |
43 Professional, 21 European Tour, 11 Senior Tour |
| 1st Pro Win: |
1972 |
| 1st Euro Tour Win: |
1976 |
| Order of Merit: |
Euro Tour - 1984, 1995, Seniors - 2005, 2006, 2009 |
| Residence: |
Virginia Water, England |
| Date of birth: |
24/08/1953 |
| Place of birth: |
Largs, Scotland |
| Family: |
Wife - Suzanne, Children - Daniel, Phoebe, Anouska |
| Turned Pro: |
1971 |
Latest on Sam Torrance OBE
Sam was in action at the weekend, playing in the Travis Perkins plc Senior Master event at Woburn Golf Club,
finishing level par tied for 17th. At the Senior Tour Annual Dinner Sam was presented with the John Jacobs
Trophy, as the winner of the Senior Tour Order of Merit, by none other than John Jacobs himself. Sam was
also presented with the Rolex Player of the Year Award, voted for by the players, and was delighted to receive it.
Began playing as a nine year old at Birchwood Golf Club, where his father Derek was a founder member.
Turned professional in 1991 and entered the Qualifying School each year between 1994 and 2003, gaining
his card in both 1999 and 2002. Also found his way onto The European Tour through the Challenge Tour in
2004, thanks to a victory that season in the Rolex Trophy. Made the cut in his last six tournaments in
2005 to keep his card. Finished a career high 29th in the 2007 Order of Merit. Achieved two tied
second-placed finishes, in Andalucia’s Valle Romano Open and later in the Mercedes-Benz Championship while
just missed out on a first title, finishing second in the Omega European Masters after a play-off with Brett
Rumford. A fan of all sports and an accomplished snooker player, he is also a keen supporter of Manchester
United. Has been coached by Mark Pearson for the past eight years.
| Residence: |
Warrington, England |
| Attachment: |
Birchwood |
| Date of birth: |
17/03/1972 |
| Place of birth: |
Warrington, Englands |
| Height and weight: |
5ft 11in 13st |
| Interests: |
Football, Manchester Utd, Snooker |
| Turned Pro: |
1991 (Scratch) |
Latest on Phillip Archer
After his recent excellent performance at the Johnnie Walker Championship (Gleneagles),
Phil struggled at this weekend’s Omega European Masters event – Crans-sur-Sierre, Switzerland.
Phil is next in action at the upcoming KLM Open, Hilversumsche Golf Club.
John Letters are delighted to have Chris Hanson as part of the John Letters
professional tour staff. Huddersfield based Chris turned professional in
early 2006 with a stunning handicap of +2.8 and has already shown
impressive form on both the 'Challenge' and 'Europro' professional
circuits. With Chris in good form, and showing amazing potential John Letters
will be right there supporting him every step of the way. With numerous victories under his belt,
including a win on the Europro Tour at Bovey Castle in 2006,
Chris has become a rising star on the PGA North Region Tour.
| Residence: |
Huddersfield, England |
| Attachment: |
Woodsome Hall - Huddersfield |
| Date of birth: |
05/08/1985 |
| Place of birth: |
Harrogate |
| Height and weight: |
6ft 13st |
| Family: |
Mother - Susan Hanson; Father - John Hanson; Grandparents - Dorothy and Terence Knapton;
Brothers - Richard and Michael; Wife - Laura Clarke |
| Turned Pro: |
29th March 2006 (plus 2.8) |
Latest on Chris Hanson
Chris has been busy this last week with a 3rd place finish at the Yorkshire Open, carding a -6 at
the Knarsborough pro-am and then up to Gleneagles for the PGA even starting on Sunday. This is an
important event for Chris before he enters the European Tour qualifying school.