Gary Player
About Gary Player
Gary Player is a legend in his own time. The most successful international golfer of all time, Player has achieved the kind of worldwide acclaim reserved for only a handful of sporting greats. He is, quite simply, world-class. Gary Player is renowned as much for his dedication to the principles of excellence as he is for his golfing accomplishments. He is recognized worldwide as an uncompromising perfectionist who settles for nothing but the best. His impeccable set of values, stringent regimen of health and fitness and insistence on quality have earned him admiration the world over.
Famous around the globe as the Black Knight, Mr. Fitness and the International Ambassador of Golf, Gary Player is also a renowned golf course architect with more than 250 design projects throughout the world. Black Knight International, the company founded by his son Marc Player, includes Gary Player Design, Player Real Estate, Gary Player Enterprises and The Player Foundation.
Player has also been trademarked The World’s Most Traveled Athlete™, but when he’s not traveling on business or playing on the Champions Tour, he spends time on his ranch in South Africa. The Gary Player Stud Farm has received worldwide acclaim for breeding more than 1,500 top thoroughbred racehorses including 1994 English Derby entry Broadway Flyer.
Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, The Player Foundation built the Blair Atholl Schools in Johannesburg, South Africa which has educational facilities for more than 500 students from kindergarten through grade eight. The foundation has since expanded efforts in all corners of the globe, raising funds for impoverished children through four Gary Player Invitational events – in Europe, China, the USA and South Africa. $25 million in 25 years and counting…
Other achievements:
- Named South African Sportsman of the Century in 2000
- Player is the only golfer to win the British Open in three different decades
- Oldest Player to make the cut at The Masters in 1998
- Honorary Doctorate of Law from the University of St. Andrews in 1995
- Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award (2003) for dedication to charity
- Awarded the Order of Ikhamanga (in gold) by President Mbeki of South Africa for excellence in golf and contribution to nonracial sport in South Africa
- 2006 Payne Stewart Award in recognition of philanthropic achievements and the exemplary manner in which he has conducted himself on and off the golf course
- Three-time Presidents Cup Captain – 2003, 2005 and 2007