Gary Player Design continues to expand upon its ever-growing international portfolio as the renowned design firm opened the first nine holes of its first Gary Player Signature course in India at DLF Golf and Country Club on October 26. The newest design in Player’s portfolio of over 300 courses is poised to set the benchmark for golf on the Indian subcontinent moving forward.
“I am positive our course at DLF Golf and Country Club will prove to be an extraordinary addition to golf in India,” said Gary Player. “There is a bright future for Indian golf, and I am happy that Gary Player Design and DLF have made a noteworthy contribution. We are committed to aiding the growth of golf around the world, and India ranks as one of our most important opportunities.”
As the country’s leading real estate developer, DLF showcased a great dedication and commitment to quality in all facets of the new course, which supports their tremendous success in urban residential development.
“It is truly special to find partners like DLF who share our passion for creating a world-class golf course,” said Scott Ferrell, President of Gary Player Design, who also attended the festivities.
Jeff Lawrence, the Senior Designer leading the project, stressed the significant environmental approach taken, saying, “In keeping with Gary Player Design’s longstanding policy of sustainable course design and environmental stewardship, geo-textile bunkers were utilized to reduce maintenance costs, thousands of trees were planted to reduce the overall carbon footprint, and irrigation needs are provided from a lake fed with recycled, treated water. These are exciting developments beyond the quality of the design.”
DLF Golf and Country Club, which has previously staged tournaments sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours, looked to Player’s philosophy of creating player-friendly courses that will cater to the emerging Indian golf market, while also providing a challenge to meet the needs of prominent professional events.
Gary Player commented, “I can assure you that this golf course will test the tour professional from the championship tees. But it is equally if not more important to give the member who lives here options for enjoyment. I believe we have accomplished that.”
The second nine is currently under construction, and when opened late next Summer, will complete the 18 hole Gary Player Signature course at DLF Golf and Country Club. The Black Knight toured the construction site with the DLF team to provide important design direction.
Player’s visit to India will be just one of many as Gary Player Design continues to expand their presence in India and across the region. The design firm currently has 26 ongoing projects across Asia.
ABOUT GARY PLAYER DESIGN
Widely recognized as the world’s most successful golf course architectural firm, Gary Player Design established by Marc Player in 1983 has completed over 325 championship courses spanning the globe. With an ever-increasing number of courses stretching across five continents and encompassing more than 35 countries, the firm is renowned for its select and ecological approach to design.
Magazines such as Golf Asia, Travel & Leisure, Golf Digest, Golf Week, Golf World Worldwide Golf, and The Complete Golfer have consistently listed Gary Player courses among the top places to play. Travel & Leisure Golf named Leopard Creek in South Africa one of the top ten Best International Courses; Geneva National was referred to by Golfweek as the best course you can play in America; and Golf, Inc. named BlackSeaRama in Bulgaria the 2010 International Development of the Year. Awards and accolades such as these are numerous, and for good reason. Gary Player Design doesn’t simply design the course and walk away; they also provide the consulting services that will guide a newly established project through the implementation steps necessary to ensure success. The results are premier golf courses & resorts that provide golfers with a unique style of luxury, the challenge of risk versus reward, and a truly memorable experience.
Although Gary Player’s golfing expertise influences every project, Gary Player Design offers three tiers of golf course design service; Black Knight Design™, Player Design™, and Gary Player Signature Design™. On Signature Design projects, Mr. Player is involved in every phase of design and development. With over 50 years of professional golf experience, Player, The World’s Most Traveled Athlete™ has visited and studied most of the great golf courses of the world so he understands that the design of a course takes both vision and respect for existing conditions. His design philosophy, and also that of The Player Group, is to create challenging yet playable courses that enhance the existing resources and retain the natural beauty of the land. Environmental sensitivity is a cornerstone of Gary Player’s passion for golf course design.
Gary Player, often referred to as the Black Knight, is one of the century’s greatest golfers and one of the original inductees into the World Golf Hall of Fame. He is one of only five golfers to ever win the Grand Slam on the PGA Tour and the only golfer to win the Grand Slam on both the regular and Champions Tour. Over the course of his career, Player participated in 438 Tour events, placed in the top 25 in 281 of them, and won 165 worldwide tournaments. Player, whose career earnings exceed $15 million, is a legend in his own time. Currently serving as The Global Ambassador to the World Golf Hall of Fame, he has been a three-time President’s Cup Captain and is ranked by Golf Digest as one of the top ten all-time golf greats. Player’s iconic status in sport adds immeasurable marketing value to all golf course design assignments he accepts. His legacy will most certainly ensure Gary Player’s Design success for many years to come.
For more information, please contact Grace Lipscomb-Vine, Archivist & Media Coordinator, Gary Player Group, at +1 864-477-2720, or grace@garyplayer.com
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