Even while on a ranch visiting a friend in America, Gary Player’s thoughts are always on South Africa.
He marvels at how well the Bulls rugby team that his late wife Vivienne so proudly supported is doing in the Currie Cup.
And he knows everything about the rising stars of South African golf who will tee it up in this week’s Gary & Vivienne Player Challenge on the Sunshine Tour.
“Vivienne would’ve had a good chuckle at the rugby the Bulls are playing. She was a great rugby supporter and loved watching them play,” says Player, who at the age of 88 divides his time between America and South Africa raising funds as part of his desire to leave a greater legacy in philanthropy than in his golf career.
“Our rugby players have been such great supporters of our charity efforts over many years now. They always come out in their numbers to help us raise funds, and we’re very grateful to them for that. We’re truly blessed to get the support we do.”
The R2-million Gary & Vivienne Player Challenge is an important part of this quest.
The 54-hole tournament will take place at Kyalami Country Club from Wednesday to Friday.
It is the Sunshine Tour’s own tribute to South Africa’s greatest golfer, and the Tour’s ongoing support of The Gary & Vivienne Player Foundation that in turn supports the Blair Atholl Pre-Primary School that Player and his wife started over 30 years ago. The school provides education, nutrition and medical care to underprivileged children around Lanseria.
“The tournament field looks great, with so many young South African stars in there,” says Player. “Ryan van Velzen has had such a good run of late and I’m excited to see what he does over the next few months in the co-sanctioned tournaments on the Sunshine Tour, and on debut in the Nedbank Golf Challenge.
“Yurav Premlall has been playing some wonderful golf this season and looks set to make his Sunshine Tour breakthrough, while Jonathan Broomhead is also having a good season. Kyle de Beer is another great prospect. He nearly won this tournament last season, and he’s a rookie on the Tour.
“South African golf is in a really strong position and it’s wonderful to see.”
There is an added incentive for the field this week. The winner of this week’s tournament as well as the next leading 22 professionals, the top five transformation professionals and two tournament invites will earn a place in the prestigious Gary & Vivienne Player Invitational at Sun City in November, where a collection of professionals golfers, celebrities, sports stars and business leaders will come together to raise even more funds for The Gary & Vivienne Player Foundation.
