(London, UK): London’s historic Wentworth Club will soon see an impressive rally for charity as the Berenberg Gary Player Invitational welcomes twenty-seven of the world’s top golfing professionals. The golfing stars will join tournament host and Grand Slam champion Gary Player, along with prominent celebrity and business guests to compete in the “Union of Golf and Giving” on July 20-21.
“It is wonderful to see this fantastic group of professionals that will join our cause at Wentworth seeking to provide a brighter future for underprivileged children,” said golf icon Gary Player. “This year is sure to be yet another unique and memorable event. With the support of our wonderful sponsors, like Berenberg, we are able to deliver some of the world’s finest golf experiences and, in doing so, create powerful fundraising platforms for those less fortunate than ourselves.”
One of the many distinguishing factors of this leading charity golf event is the unique format that pairs invited business guests with a PGA or European Tour Professional, LPGA or LET Professional, and prominent celebrities.
Current US Open Champion Martin Kaymer said, “I have had the privilege of receiving valuable information and knowledge from Mr. Player for many years now. For almost as many years, we have talked about coming together for one of his events and finally here we are. Mr. Player has done a lot of good for many people and causes around the world. The world keeps changing and, more than ever, I feel that words from more experienced people than yourself should be listened to. A day with Mr. Player is like nothing else, and I am very much looking forward to be in his presence once again.”
Ahead of his first-ever GPI event, world number 6 ranked player Jason Day, added, “I’ve heard so much about Mr. Player’s worldwide charity event series. We play a lot of tournament golf throughout the year and attend many Pro-Am events, but this is one that I’ve really wanted to attend for some time now. Off the back of such a high-pressure week as The Open, it will be great to join so many of my peers and leading ladies Tour Professionals for the event to raise funds for charity.”
On behalf of the female Professionals, world number 4 golfer Suzann Pettersen had this to add, “Everyone knows about Gary Player’s achievements on the course, as well as the many successful initiatives to benefit the game and the people that love it. Golf has provided us the opportunity to give back to such great causes as The Player Foundation and this is perhaps the most rewarding aspect of our careers. I’m thrilled to help Gary at this year’s event at Wentworth – a venue I’ve never before competed at, which makes it doubly exciting.”
The Berenberg Gary Player Invitational is part of the world-leading Gary Player Invitational charity golf event series, which has raised in excess of $50million for charities worldwide.
ABOUT BLACK KNIGHT INTERNATIONAL
Established in 1983 by Marc Player, Black Knight International is a global holding company for The Player Group and the constantly expanding family of Gary Player® brands. With a powerful presence in North and South America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa, Black Knight is a multicultural and multilingual company offering branded services for the leisure and real estate industries. This rapidly growing firm is diverse and infused with the same tenaciousness and drive as Gary Player, world renowned iconic golfer. The holding company divisions include: Gary Player Design, Player Real Estate, Black Knight Enterprises, Black Knight Solutions, Black Knight Capital, Gary Player Academies, and The Player Foundation.
ABOUT THE PLAYER FOUNDATION
The Player Foundation was established in 1983 by Marc Player. What began as an effort to provide education, nutrition, medical care and athletic activities, for a small community of disadvantaged children living on the outskirts of Johannesburg, South Africa has now blossomed into an organization that circles the globe bringing aid to underprivileged children and impoverished communities.
The Foundation is funded primarily by four Gary Player Invitational events presented through Black Knight International. Pairing celebrities and professional golfers from the PGA and Champions Tours with businessmen and international sports figures, the annual tournaments are staged in the United States, China, Europe and South Africa. The proceeds of these tournaments and other special events provide funding for an ever- expanding number of institutions around the world, including the Blair Atholl Schools in South Africa, the Pleasant City Elementary School in Palm Beach, the Masizame in Plettenberg Bay, South Africa, and AIDS infected children in Baoshan, a drug-infested city located on the China-Burma border. Since its establishment, The Player Foundation has donated over $50 million dollars to the support of children’s charities, the betterment of impoverished communities and the expansion of educational opportunities throughout the world.
Gary Player, acknowledged as a world-class humanitarian, believes that the strength of our future depends upon the abilities of our children. “I have found that the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others does not thrust itself upon us,” Player says, “But we do not need to look hard for it either. When you spot the chance to give back to the world, act on it. You will have made life better, for others, and for yourself.”
The Gary Player Foundation is a non-profit 501 C (3) organization managed by Black Knight International in Palm Beach, Florida.
ABOUT BERENBERG
Established in 1590, Berenberg is one of the leading privately owned banks in Europe today, focusing on four operating divisions: Private Banking, Investment Banking, Asset Management and Corporate Banking. The Hamburg-based partnership has 17 offices in Europe, America and Asia and is managed by personally liable partners. Berenberg opened its London office in 2003 and the Bank’s Investment Banking division is centered here. The equity and economic research team now consists of over 80 analysts covering more than 500 stocks, and the award-winning research is brought to European and North American equity markets by a team of over 50 generalist and specialist sales based in London, Frankfurt, Zurich, New York, Boston and San Francisco.
Contact:
Grace Vine – Black Knight International
grace@garyplayer.com
+1 864 477 2720
Meagan Fester – Black Knight International
meagan@garyplayer.co.za
+27 21 448 7777
