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Gary Player

Golf Ambassador and Philanthropist

Jupiter, FL, USA

Gary Player

The Polk Wealth Management Group, Morgan Stanley

Gary’s Biography

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Widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers of all time, Gary Player is a Golf Ambassador, Philanthropist and Golf Course Designer with a passion for fitness and thoroughbred horses. Known for his positive mindset, he has lived by the mantra of "the harder I practise, the luckier I get".

The World Golf Hall of Fame Member is one of only five golfers to achieve a Career Grand Slam by winning all four majors, and is the only golfer on that list to have won a Grand Slam on the Senior Tour too. His achievements in golf resulted in the PGA Tour bestowing a Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Services to Golf on him in 2012.

A member of the Laureus World Sports Academy, which celebrates sport's ability to create positive change in the world, Gary’s outstanding career was acknowledged with a Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award. He also captained the Rest of the World Presidents Cup Team in three consecutive tournaments against the USA between 2003 and 2007.

Having designed more than 135 golf courses on five continents, Gary recently announced that he would be working collaboratively... Widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers of all time, Gary Player is a Golf Ambassador, Philanthropist and Golf Course Designer with a passion for fitness and thoroughbred horses. Known for his positive mindset, he has lived by the mantra of "the harder I practise, the luckier I get".

The World Golf Hall of Fame Member is one of only five golfers to achieve a Career Grand Slam by winning all four majors, and is the only golfer on that list to have won a Grand Slam on the Senior Tour too. His achievements in golf resulted in the PGA Tour bestowing a Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Services to Golf on him in 2012.

A member of the Laureus World Sports Academy, which celebrates sport's ability to create positive change in the world, Gary’s outstanding career was acknowledged with a Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award. He also captained the Rest of the World Presidents Cup Team in three consecutive tournaments against the USA between 2003 and 2007.

Having designed more than 135 golf courses on five continents, Gary recently announced that he would be working collaboratively with the Jack Nicklaus design team on future projects.

Following a dedicated fitness regime all his life, including weightlifting, Gary earned himself the nickname of Mr Fitness and has always been loyal to, and passionate about, the rewards of a regular workout. From a youthful age, he loved horses and his stud farm in South Africa is famed for breeding top-performing thoroughbred racehorses and producing many winners.

Gary has continuously used his position of influence in a positive way to improve the lives of others as humanitarian and has focused strongly on education for the underprivileged. Through the Gary and Vivienne Player Foundation, millions of dollars have been raised to aid vulnerable children. The Foundation established the Blair Atholl School with facilities for providing education to over 500 underprivileged students. moreless

Gary’s Newsfeed

Gary Player and Tony Jacklin CBE Appear at Charity Golf Invitational

Gary Player will attend a charity golf invitational held as part of the Open Championship's 150 year celebrations.

Omaha World-Herald

Golf pro Gary Player, in visit to Omaha, takes aim at pancreatic cancer

Golfing legend Gary Player has joined forces with staff from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in a declaration of war on pancreas cancer.

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Gary’s Background

PGA Tour

Golfer

1957 - 1984

Gary clocked up an amazing 24 PGA Tour wins during his remarkable career.

PGA Tour Champions

Golfer

1985 - 2009

Gary recorded 22 career PGA Tour Champions victories.

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Gary’s Gallery

Gary celebrates his victory in the 1965 US Open.

Gary was the recipient of the 2006 Payne Stewart Award.

Gary photographed next to the trophy during the ProAm before the 2021 Senior Open presented by Rolex at Sunningdale Golf Club.

South African Gary Player lifts the Claret Jug after winning the 1974 Open Championship at Royal Lytham and St Annes Golf Club.

Photo of Gary Player

Other Business Interests

Gary Player Enterprises

Founder

Jupiter, FL, USA

Gary Player Enterprises was established to house Gary's intellectual property and oversee and develop his business interests.

Gary Player Design

Golf Course Architect

Jupiter, FL, USA

Gary has created more than 135 golf courses on five continents over a period of more than four decades. His approach has always been twofold: aiming to design courses that are accessible for average golfers and wanting to conserve nature and be kind to the environment at the same time.

Philanthropy

Gary and Vivienne Player Foundation

Founder

The Gary and Vivienne Player Foundation aims to support vulnerable children. They achieve this through the provision of a secure environment in which children can be nurtured to reach their potential.

Media

A Golf Podcast: The Long and the Short of It - Gary Player

Podcast

Apr 2022

Gary shares his thoughts in this podcast with Dale Hayes, Simon Hill and Dylan Rogers.

Podcast: World Golf Hall of Famer Gary Player shares lifelong strategy for Success

Interview

Nov 2020

Keith Stewart from the PGA chats to Gary about the strategy that he has used to achieve success in life.

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Features

Gary Player reveals his top 10 courses in the world

Feature

Jul 2020

Gary's list of his favourite 10 courses in the world includes two of his own designs namely The Links at Fancourt, South Africa, and Thracian Cliffs in Bulgaria.

Gary Player: The father of golf course design

Feature

Oct 2017

Midrand, ZA

An article highlighting ten of Gary's golf course designs worldwide including the iconic Gary Player Country Club and the Lost City course, both at Sun City.

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Memberships

Laureus World Sports Academy

Member

2000 - Present

The Laureus World Sports Academy is based on the premise that sport has the ability to transform the world. Its members vote for the Laureus Sports Awards winners every year. Academy members engage with young people through Sport for Good initiatives.

Awards & Recognition

USGA Bob Jones Award

Bob Jones Award

1966

The Bob Jones Award for Sportsmanship is the highest honour the USGA can bestow on a golfer.

PGA Tour

PGA Tour Lifetime Achievement Award for Golf

Jan 2012

Jacksonville, FL, USA

Gary became the first international and only the 10th golfer honoured with this award at the start of The Players Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. This award acknowledges contributions to the sport on and off the field.

USA Government Executive Branch

Presidential Medal of Freedom

Washington, DC, USA

Gary accepted his Presidential Medal of Freedom alongside fellow golfing great and Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam at a private event held at the White House.

South African Sportsman of the Century Award

Winner

2000

Gary was voted the South African Sportsman of the Century by the South African public.

Order of Ikhamanga

Gold Award

2003

South African President Thabo Mbeki awarded Gary with the Gold Order of Ikhamanga for his exceptional contribution to non-racial sport in the country and excellence in golf.

Laureus World Sports Awards

Lifetime Achievement Award for Golf

2003

This award was bestowed on Gary by his fellow Laureus Sports Academy Members in acknowledgement of his illustrious golfing career.

PGA Tour

Hall of Fame Golf Award

1974

Jacksonville, FL, USA

Gary was inducted in the Hall of Fame after winning a remarkable 24 PGA TOUR titles and followed it with 19 titles on the Champions Tour.

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Academic Appointments

University of Dundee

Honorary Doctorate in Law

1999 - Present

Dundee, UK

Gary's Honorary Doctorate in Law was the third honorary degree bestowed on him.

Ulster University

Honorary Doctorate in Science

1997 - Present

Belfast, UK

Gary received an Honorary Doctor of Science Degree from Ulster University in recognition of his golfing achievements.

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Commercial Partners

Berenberg Bank

Global Brand Ambassador

Having served as Tournament Ambassador of the European Tour events from 2010, Gary was named as global brand ambassador of Berenberg Bank.