(Capetown, South Africa) 23 February 2010 – The 10th Annual Gary Player Invitational charity golf tournament held in November 2009 at The Links at Fancourt in South Africa was a real success raising over R 5 million for children in need across the globe. Professional golfers from the PGA Tour, European Tour, European LPGA and Champions Tour and celebrities gathered for the two day tournament and lent their support to raising much needed funds to help further the education of children. Masters Champion Angel Cabrera and British Senior Masters Champion Tony Johnstone won the better ball tournament and British celebrity DJ Spooney, businessman Abdullah Al Naboodah, and their professional partners Vincent Tshabalala and Thomas Aiken, claimed a close victory in the fourball event.
The strong field of professional and celebrities garnered significant media coverage and the tournament highlight package was viewed by more than 100 million people around the world. Even though the economy is still recovering from a significant downturn over the past two years the commitment to giving to those in need was strong. The success of the Gary Player Invitational Series and the attention that the general public pays to charity events is a positive sign that 2010 could bring a recovery in charitable giving worldwide.
About The Player Foundation
In 1983, Marc Player established The Player Foundation in order to provide quality education, nutrition, medical care and extra-curricular activities to the less fortunate children living in rural areas of South Africa. Today, through several annual events staged in the USA, Asia, Europe and South Africa, the foundation has raised over $30 million for impoverished children globally. The Player Foundation is headquartered in Palm Beach, Florida, and operates as a 501 C (3) non-profit organization.
Gary Player has always felt very strongly that we must look after our youth in order to ensure a positive future. What thus began as a small vision to educate a handful of children near the Player family’s estate outside Johannesburg, South Africa, has now grown to support partner schools, as well as HIV and crime-stricken communities around the world.
Each year Black Knight International, in conjunction with The Player Foundation, manages and runs a series of four prestigious golf events in the USA, UK, China and South Africa to raise funds for charity – the primary beneficiary being underprivileged children’s education and impoverished communities across the globe.
For more information about The Player Foundation please visit www.garyplayer.com/foundation
About Black Knight International
Black Knight International, the global holding company for all divisions of The Player Group, maintains a strong presence in North and South America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Gary Player’s penchant for wearing black attire on the golf course, coupled with his competitive style of play and courteous demeanor, earned him the name, “The Black Knight.” The recognizable Black Knight logo identifies all the companies of The Player Group, including the Gary Player®, Player® and Black Knight® brands.
The Player Group provides a range of services and products that reflect a superior quality and commitment to excellence. The various companies under the group umbrella include:
Gary Player Design which has more than 300 championship courses worldwide to its credit. Since the early 1980s, Gary Player Design has been a leader in the industry and prides itself on making each golf course “a gift to nature.”
Gary Player Enterprises whose focuses include luxury goods, apparel, event management and promoting Mr. Player as an ambassador for global companies. Current partners include Rolex, Callaway, MasterCard, Coca-Cola, SAP and others.
The Player Foundation which executes global charitable efforts in support of underprivileged children.
For further information about Black Knight International or Gary Player, please visit www.garyplayer.com.
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