UK event, part of the world-leading Gary Player Invitational series which has raised more than $62 million for charity, will welcome global stars and legends of the game
An all-star field has been announced for the Berenberg Gary Player Invitational at Wentworth Club in London on July 18, including 15 Major winners and current Masters Champion, Danny Willett.
Black Knight International and title sponsor Berenberg will bring together stars from the men’s and women’s game, following The Open at Royal Troon, under the banner of a Union of Golf and Giving. The Player Foundation, that supports children’s charities, the betterment of impoverished communities and the expansion of educational opportunities throughout the world, will raise much-needed funds for the chosen beneficiaries.
Competitors from the men’s game include tournament host Gary Player, Tom Watson, Danny Willett, Branden Grace, Martin Kaymer, Colin Montgomerie, Jason Dufner, Tom Lehman, Fred Couples, Padraig Harrington, Charl Schwartzel, Marc Leishman, Paul McGinley, Sandy Lyle, Ian Woosnam, Rich Beem and David Howell.
From the women’s game, Juli Inkster, Carly Booth, Suzann Pettersen, Georgia Hall, Joanna Klatten, Emma Cabrera-Bello, Victoria Lovelady, Danielle Montgomery, Caroline Martens, Anna Rawson, Courtney Harter, Alex Peters, Lauren Taylor and Sarah Jane Boyd will take part in the event at Wentworth Club’s Edinburgh Course, a Gary Player-designed layout.
“To be able to bring together a group of friends and fellow professionals that have collectively won 42 Majors is something very special,” said Gary Player. “I am confident our union of golf and giving, supported by our title sponsor Berenberg, will make a difference and positively affect the lives of vulnerable young people.”
“We are proud to be a part of the Gary Player Invitational global series that raises funds for such worthwhile causes,” said Dr. Hans-Walter Peters, Managing Partner of Berenberg. Berenberg was founded in 1590 and is the second oldest bank in the world.
“The tournament will not only raise money for Depaul UK, an organization that helps homeless young people in the UK, it will also be a meeting of our brand ambassador family, consisting of Gary Player, Colin Montgomerie, Martin Kaymer, Branden Grace, and Georgia Hall.”
The Berenberg Gary Player Invitational forms part of the world-leading Gary Player Invitational series, which has helped The Player Foundation raise more than $62 million for charities worldwide.
“I’m thrilled to be participating in the Berenberg Gary Player Invitational in London this year, and to be supporting The Player Foundation and its on-going contribution to helping those less fortunate around the world,” said reigning Masters champion Danny Willett. “This is an amazing charity led golf tournament that allows us to help others while doing what we love, and I am so happy to be a part of it.”
In addition to the United Kingdom, annual events are staged by Black Knight International in Abu Dhabi, Japan, USA, China and South Africa.
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Press Release issued on behalf of Black Knight International, by Landmark Golf Marketing & Communications
For further media enquiries contact:
John McKenzie – Landmark
john@landmark-media.com
T: +44 (0) 1780 752790
M: +44 (0) 7595 906196
Bo Wood – Black Knight International
b.wood@garyplayer.com
T: + 1 864 477 2720
Meagan Fester – Black Knight International
meagan@garyplayer.co.za
T: +27 21 448 7777
Notes for Editors
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, Japan, Abu Dhabi 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 more than $62 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.
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.
BERENBERG
Berenberg was established in 1590 and today we are one of Europe’s leading privately owned banks. With our headquarters in Hamburg and strong presences in Frankfurt, London, New York and Zurich we work from 19 offices across Europe, America and Asia. We deliver our expertise through four divisions – Private Banking, Investment Banking, Asset Management and Corporate Banking. Our Managing Partners lead Berenberg’s 1,250 professionals in their commitment to delivering a modern and efficient service, while maintaining a firm connection with our heritage and traditions.
“We are proud to call Gary Player our Brand Ambassador, as he is truly a great Ambassador for the game of golf,” says Dr. Hans-Walter Peters, Managing Partner of Berenberg. “This must be measured not just in terms of his career achievements as a Grand Slam Champion, but also in driving such outstanding philanthropic initiatives as the Gary Player Invitational series. The event’s great virtues and its ability to give so much back to charity is one of the many reasons we have chosen this sponsorship as an important business platform for years to come.”
DEPAUL UK
Depaul UK helps young people who are homeless, vulnerable and disadvantaged.
? We protect young people by finding them a place to call home.
? We prevent young people becoming homeless by rebuilding family relationships and offering through the gate support to young offenders.
? We provide young people with opportunities through skills development and support to help them progress beyond homelessness and fulfil their potential
Depaul is based around the UK working with young people to tackle homelessness at every level. Our Nightstop UK service also offers emergency short-term accommodation in the homes of local volunteers on a night-by-night basis.
Depaul UK has helped over 50,000 people since we were founded in 1989 and continue to work with over 3,000 young people a year providing over 120,000 bed nights to those who are vulnerable and in need.
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