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.

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.

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 1974, Hawkes turned professional. He played on the European Tour for over twenty years, making the top one hundred on the European Tour Order of Merit every year from 1977 to 1991, with a best ranking of 34th in 1987.

In 1982, Hawkes was part of the ten-man-team representing Rest of World, under the captaincy of Greg Norman, in the Hennessy Cognac Cup, a team event between Great Britain and Ireland, Continent of Europe and Rest of World.

In 1985, Hawkes finished second, reaching his best finish so far on the European Tour, at the Sanyo Open at Real Club de Golf El Prat, Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain. In May 1987, Hawkes finished second to Mats Lanner at the European Tour match-play event Epson Grand Prix of Europe Matchplay Championship at St Pierre Golf & Country Club in Wales, losing with 1 hole on the last green in the final. 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.