Saunders is the daughter of the late Jim Scouler, who was on the New Zealand Golf Council and was a close friend of Sir Bob Charles.
"My father managed several New Zealand amateur golf teams, including the 1958 team which included Charles. They played in the Eisenhower Trophy tournament on the Old Course at St Andrews," Saunders said.
"I was on my OE in England in 1963 and I joined my parents to watch the Open at Lytham St Annes.
"With the possibility of an Australian winner this year, I paid particular attention to the results."
Saunders recalls watching Charles sink a putt on the final green to force the playoff with Phil Rogers (United States), which was over 36 holes.
"All of the other golfers left for the next event and after Charles won the title we had an evening meal with him and Rogers."
Saunders was a 22-year-old but can still remember giving Charles and his wife Verity a lift in their hired Vauxhall back to the hotel.
"I had the Claret Jug on my lap all of the way back and I was most excited."
Saunders recalled that Charles' putter kept him in the contest the entire week - "and so we all toasted his putter after the meal".
