Gary Player champions charity
7 October 2008
South Africa joins the international Gary Player Invitational series in November. The series has brought together top participants from around the globe for golf and giving back at events in the USA, United Kingdom and China for more than a decade.
The four-event series began in London and was followed by an event in the USA. The next stop will be in China before South Africa hosts the series from 27 to 30 November.
In honour of the 25th anniversary of The Player Foundation, a select gathering of golf professionals, celebrities and executives will gather at Fancourt, one of the country's leading business and leisure resorts, to launch the local Gary Player Invitational (GPI), presented by Coca-Cola.
32 participants
The GPI is South Africa's premier pro-celebrity charity golf event, attracting 32 top participants who will combine their skills to test the demanding Links golf course, designed by the Black Knight himself.
The principal objective is to raise funds for The Player Foundation and local charities in South Africa.
"Golf is unique in its ability to bring like-minded individuals together to enjoy each other's company and achieve good things by helping to raise much-needed funds for charity," said Player, the winner of nine Major titles.
'Children are the real winners'
"The children are the real winners and we are grateful that we can help to make their future brighter. We look forward to making a difference."
The final of the four annual events, the Gary Player Invitational presented by Coca-Cola offers local and international companies a fantastic platform for entertainment and networking whilst also raising money for very worthy causes.
"We are pleased to welcome Fancourt and the ongoing support of Coca-Cola," said Marc Player, CEO, Black Knight International. "Together, with the tournament expertise and experience of the Sunshine Tour, we look forward to an association that will create awareness and charitable funds for worthy causes.
"As always, Coca-Cola South Africa is proud to be part of this initiative to raise money to improve the lives of South African children," said Coca-Cola South Africa Executive, Alex Maditsi. "We look forward to a successful event and we hope that it will prove to be popular with the golf enthusiasts."
Other sponsors who have thrown their support behind the GPI in South Africa include Rolex, SAP, UPS, Brandhouse and Callaway.
The Links
As for the competitors, they could not ask for a more challenging and rewarding layout than The Links at Fancourt.
The course has previously hosted the 2003 Presidents Cup, the Women's World Cup and the South African Open, as well as numerous Sunshine Tour events.
Commenting on behalf of Fancourt, owner Dr. Hasso Plattner said: "Fancourt shares a special relationship with Gary Player, and it is indeed appropriate for us to be hosting the Gary Player Invitational at The Links this year."
In addition to The Player Foundation, the Children's Welfare Organisation in George and several smaller local beneficiaries will benefit from the proceeds of this year's event.
USA event
The most recent Gary Player Invitational presented by The Cliffs in the USA completed the second event in the series and will be followed by the third leg at the Shanghai Links in China on 7 November.
Established in 1983, The Player Foundation strives to provide quality education, nutrition, medical care, and extra-curricular activities to the less fortunate children living in rural areas of South Africa.
To date, more than R100-million has been raised for underprivileged children in all corners of the globe and this year the causes include education, HIV-stricken communities, and childhood obesity.
The Player Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization whose mission is to provide quality education for underprivileged children and strengthen impoverished communities plagued by AIDS, crime and family breakdown.
SAinfo reporter
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