Gary Player

Gary Player is one among the most prestigious and celebrated names in golf. With at least a hundred and sixty-six wins, nine of which are major victories, Player holds the third spot in golf history to accumulate as many victories in his career. As a matter of fact, Player is mixed in with golf legends Arnold Palmer and Sam Snead as “The Big Three,” the greatest golf athletes in the era when the sport enjoyed much public interest, from the 1950s to the 1970s. He won three Masters title, one U.S. open title, two PGA Tour championships and three The Open trophies.

Gary Player was born in November 1, 1935 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Family relationships have been a central force in his golf career; it was his father who motivated him to play golf while it was his wife and six children who sustained his fire for the game. His father bought him a set of golf clubs out of a loan, and so paved the way for the young Player, at age 14; to play his first game and par the first three holes straight up. He became a pro at age 17, and at 22, married his wife Vivienne. Together, the couple has six children, and the family would travel with Player wherever he had a tournament. Player is the most travelled athlete in the world, recording over 14 million miles in air travel.

The most remarkable fact about Player though, is that he set up The Player Foundation, which aim is to educate children around the world. The foundation started to effect changes in South Africa, Player’s very own country. In 1983, the Blair Atholl Schools was established; it educates around 500 students or more.

Famous as “The Black Knight” and the International Ambassador of Golf, Player is also a popular golf course architect. He has designed more than 300 projects around the world. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974.