The Black Knight’s quest to raise $100M for The Player Foundation
Black Knight International and title sponsor German bank Berenberg gathered top golf professionals and business influencers from around the world to celebrate the Union of Golf and Giving at the 2016 Berenberg Gary Player Invitational on August 29 at GlenArbor Golf Club in New York.
The star-studded event raised more than $100 000 for The Player Foundation, which supports underprivileged children, the betterment of impoverished communities and the expansion of educational opportunities throughout the world.
The field included some of golf’s most celebrated players, including Tom Watson, Bill Haas, Jhonattan Vegas, Tom Lehman, Padraig Harrington, Branden Grace, Jay Haas, Camilo Villegas, Tony Finau, Kevin Kisner, Trevor Immelman, Mark O’Meara, Mike Weir, Larry Mize, Geoff Ogilvy, Blair O’Neal, Victoria Lovelady, Carly Booth, Alex Peters, Paige Mackenzie, Briana Mao, Henni Zuel, Nicole Hage, Kristy McPherson, Victoria Elizabeth, Emily Talley, Anna Rawson, Emiliano Grillo, Danielle Montgomery and Kathleen Ekey.
The team led by Bill Haas and Carly Booth had a winning score of 90 points with 18 under par and was crowned champion of the 2016 Berenberg Gary Player Invitational at GlenArbor Golf Club.
Following an exciting day of golf, the festivities continued into the evening with a black tie Dinner and Gala Auction. The funds raised throughout the evening have helped The Player Foundation contribute more than $62 million to charitable causes since the series began more than 30 years ago.
The high-octane musical tour-de-force that took Broadway by storm, The Jersey Boys, created a high spirited evening that left guests entertained with the music and spirit of the Broadway show like no other tribute act.
“I am humbled by the success of our event and the funds we have raised for The Player Foundation,” said Gary Player. “It’s an honor to be surrounded by so many generous individuals, who continue to support our mission in helping those less fortunate and reach our goal of raising $100 million.”
Hendrik Riehmer, Managing Partner at Berenberg commented, “We are proud to be part of Gary Player’s journey and efforts in supporting underprivileged children around the world. While he is a tremendous ambassador for the game of golf, his desire to change people’s lives is a remarkable inspiration to us all.”
Marc Player, CEO of Black Knight International and GPI series founder, added, “We appreciate the contributions made by GlenArbor Golf Club, all our sponsors as well as the field of participants. Their involvement has been imperative in the success of our philanthropic efforts throughout the world.”
Besides title sponsor Berenberg, global brands like Porsche, Rolex, SAP and Lavazza supported the tournament.
The series will continue later this year in China and South Africa.
Contact:
Bo Wood – Black Knight International
b.wood@garyplayer.com
+ 1 864 477 2720
Meagan Fester – Black Knight International
meagan@garyplayer.co.za
+27 21 448 7777
Notes to the editors:
2016 Participants
1. Gary Player
2. Tom Watson
3. Bill Haas
4. Jhonattan Vegas
5. Tom Lehman
6. Padraig Harrington
7. Branden Grace
8. Jay Haas
9. Camillo Villegas
10. Tony Finau
11. Kevin Kisner
12. Trevor Immelman
13. Mark O’Meara
14. Mike Weir
15. Larry Mize
16. Geoff Ogilvy
17. Blair O’Neal
18. Victoria Lovelady
19. Carly Booth
20. Alex Peters
21. Paige Mackenzie
22. Briana Mao
23. Henni Zuel
24. Nicole Hage
25. Kristy McPherson
26. Victoria Elizabeth
27. Emily Talley
28. Anna Rawson
29. Emiliano Grillo
30. Danielle Montgomery
31. Kathleen Ekey
32. Paula Reto
ABOUT BLACK KNIGHT INTERNATIONAL
Established in 1985 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 1985 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 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 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
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.”
Contact:
