FOR RELEASE: 9 November 2009
(George, South Africa) – South African rocker Ard Matthews and BBC Radio 1 personality DJ Spoony are among the cast of golfers, businessmen and celebrities lined up for the 10th Anniversary of the Gary Player Invitational presented by Coca-Cola at The Links golf course at Fancourt, George, South Africa in from 26-29 November 2009.
Golfing icon Gary Player, one of only five men to win a career Grand Slam, will host the tournament which has raised over R250-million for children’s charities.
Matthews, a self-confessed “golf nut” who fronts the South African rock band Just Jinjer, is keenly anticipating his second appearance at South Africa’s premier charity event but dreads a repeat of his ‘less than average’ performance in his 2006 debut.
Having his lovely girlfriend, the South African model Landi Swanepoel, walking the course in support, may just give Matthews the boost he needs.
“I will need to impress Landi, especially with Gary Player, Angel Cabrera and Retief Goosen in the field,” joked Matthews. “I have some friends who play on the Sunshine Tour; they might help me get in shape in time.
Seriously, I have no golfing expectations for the week; just being part of the set-up is enough for me. I really enjoyed the first event and hopefully I will be able to contribute in some way.”
Although living outside of South Africa since 2002, Matthews has been very active in raising awareness for good causes in Africa through his music. He is also currently an Ambassador for 46664 which is Nelson Mandela’s global HIV AIDS awareness programme launched through the Nelson Mandela Foundation in 2002.
Due to his role as global ambassador for South Africa’s MyLife Foundation, Matthews does not sell his songs online. Rather, donators to MyLife receive a key that grant them access to rare recordings, videos and songs he is currently working on within his website.
“The band has been incredibly supportive of this project because it helps so many children to have a chance at a better future” Matthews said.
Just Jinjer have recorded and released five albums together, two of which went double platinum and three gold here in South Africa. After four years in Orange County in the United States, where the band tried to crack the US market, they recently signed with Curb Records and next year will see the band launch on a Tour of the USA.
Another return visitor, who has also played in the European and American versions of the Gary Player Invitational series, DJ Spoony, left South Africa last year with the promise that he will exact his revenge.
“I’ll be back,” joked Spoony during last year’s prize giving ceremony after his team narrowly lost to the the fourball of business man Alan Pearson, senior tour pro Costantino Rocca, regular tour pro Retief Goosen and celebrity, the Spanish supermodel and actress Inés Sastre.
Spoony will have his chance to upstage Sastre, who not only has been in the winning team twice, but retaliated with an immediate ‘you are on’ and already confirmed her spot in the illustrious line-up.
The popular British DJ has a great affinity for South Africa, which he has visited on numerous occasions, and his friendly approach and easy going nature is a sure hit with both fans and participants alike.
“As a DJ, I mainly fly in and out of places on a red-eye and don’t see much more than the airport and the club I’m playing at,” said Spoony. “But South Africa is one of my top-10 destinations and the Gary Player Invitational is certainly one of my favourite events.
“The thing I love most about the event is the challenge. Just because you’ve hit a good shot it doesn’t mean the next one will be the same; it’s a constant battle, but you have three partners who can carry you through those tough ones.
“And then there is the added benefit of helping a legend like Gary Player to fulfill his life-long ambition of raising as much money as possible for the children. It doesn’t get much better than this.”
Matthews and Spoony will join BBC sports personality Sarah Stirk, Spanish supermodel and actress Inés Sastre and Sir Clive Woodward, among others, in the celebrity line-up.
“It is with the continued support of celebrities like Matthews, Spoony and Sastre, who have helped to broaden the appeal of the Gary Player Invitational presented by Coca-Cola and upped its profile, that the event is able to make a real difference in the lives of South Africa’s neediest children,” said tournament host and golfing great, Gary Player.
Contact:
Jennifer Fonseca
Program Director
Gary Player Foundation
11390 North Jog Road, Suite 100
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33418-1755
United States of America
Tel: +1 561 624 0300
Fax: +1 561 624-0304
jen@garyplayer.com
www.garyplayer.com
