Golf & gala dinner in London of the world-leading Gary Player Invitational series, included golf’s most decorated selfie, featuring 12 major champions.
Men and women of professional golf were brought together by Black Knight International and title sponsor Berenberg, under the banner of a Union of Golf and Giving, for a star-studded event that raised more than $150,000 for charity.
Part of the world leading Gary Player Invitational series, which has helped The Player Foundation raise more than $62 million for charitable causes, the annual event staged on the Gary Player-designed Edinburgh Course at Wentworth Club took place on July 17th and 18th.
The field included some of the game’s most successful players, such as 2016 Masters Champion Danny Willett, Martin Kaymer, Tom Watson. This year’s tournament was in support of Depaul, an organization who helps homeless and vulnerable young people in London.
The golf tournament was won by Team Harrington, which saw the Irishman and three time Major Champion shoot a superb 62, alongside Caroline Martens of the Ladies European Tour.
“It is an honour that so many of the game’s great players came together for our union of golf and giving,” said tournament host Gary Player. “The generosity on display during the gala dinner, alongside the on-going support by our title sponsor Berenberg, continues to amaze me and we feel humbled to have helped such a wonderful and worthwhile cause in Depaul.”
The black-tie gala dinner and auction event included the opportunity for guests to bid on a number of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, such as a Masters Tournament package in Augusta at the Black Knight House, and trips to Wimbledon courtesy of SAP.
The evening also brought together players for the game’s most decorated selfie, featuring 12 Major champions, combining for a total 32 Major victories collectively.
Reflecting on the success of the event, Dr. Hans-Walter Peters, Managing Partner at Berenberg, “Gary Player is not only a great ambassador for the game of golf and Berenberg but his philanthropic initiatives, such as the GPI series, continue to help improve society as a whole. We continue to be very proud of our association with Gary, this event and to play a part in helping to raise money for our chosen charity, Depaul.”
“I would like to thank all of our sponsors and the professional golfers who continue to support The Player Foundation and the Gary Player Invitational series,” added Marc Player, CEO of Black Knight International and the Gary Player Invitational series founder. “Your on-going efforts ensure we are able to make a real difference to the lives of those less fortunate around the world.”
In addition to the United Kingdom, annual events are staged by Black Knight International in Abu Dhabi, Japan, USA, China and South Africa.
Press Release issued on behalf of Black Knight International, by Landmark Golf Marketing & Communications
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 six 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.
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