All-Star field will come together under the banner of ‘A Union of Golf & Giving’ to raise much-needed funds for charitable children’s causes
A stellar field of Major winners, icons of the game and Tour professionals will participate in the 2017 Berenberg Gary Player Invitational at Wentworth Club in London on July 23 and 24, part of a global series that has so far raised more than $63 million for good causes.
Under the banner of a ‘Union of Golf and Giving,’ Black Knight International and title sponsor Berenberg will stage the Gary Player Invitational on the Edinburgh Course, a layout designed by the Black Knight, the day after The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale Golf Club.
Competitors from the men’s game will include tournament host Gary Player, Fred Couples, Branden Grace, Bernhard Langer, Colin Montgomerie, Martin Kaymer, Tom Watson, Trevor Immelman, Thomas Björn, Charl Schwartzel, Jamie Donaldson, Matteo Manassero, Padraig Harrington, Tom Lehman, Sandy Lyle and Jonathan Thomson.
From the women’s game, Georgia Hall, Maria Parra Luque, Joanna Klatten, Emma Cabrera Bello, Carly Booth, Olivia Cowan, Maria Verchenova, Caroline Martens, Alex Peters, Annabel Dimmock and Caroline Masson also will participate.
This very special event forms part of the annual Gary Player Invitational series and sits alongside similar events staged in the UAE, Japan, USA, China and South Africa that assist The Player Foundation in raising important charitable funds worldwide.
18-time Major winner, Gary Player, commented: “Through our series of global events, The Player Foundation continues to raise much-needed funds for children’s causes and I look forward to welcoming many friends from the game, and VIP guests, to come together for such important, charitable giving.
“Supported by our title sponsor Berenberg, I’m proud to say that this year’s event at Wentworth will once again raise funds that will make a difference to, and positively affect the lives of, homeless young people via our chosen charity, Depaul.”
Dr. Hans-Walter Peters, Managing Partner of Berenberg, the second oldest bank in the world, added: “We are proud to be supporting an event that brings together icons of the game and raises significant charitable money that goes to such a good cause.
“The event also represents a coming together of Berenberg’s global golf ambassadors – Gary Player, Fred Couples, Branden Grace, Martin Kaymer, Tom Watson, Bernhard Langer and Colin Montgomerie – who collectively give so much back to the sport.
“We look forward to welcoming a field of world class players to Wentworth for an event full of fun, entertainment and support,” said Marc Player, CEO of Black Knight International.
Ends
Press Release issued on behalf of Black Knight International, by Landmark Golf Marketing & Communications
For further media enquiries contact:
John McKenzie – Landmark Golf Marketing & Communications
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 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 Abu Dhabi, United States, Japan, China, United Kingdom 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 $63 million to the support of children’s charities, the betterment of impoverished communities and the expansion of educational opportunities throughout the world.
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 is one of Europe’s leading privately owned banks. With headquarters in Hamburg and strong presences in Frankfurt, London, New York and Zurich the bank works from offices across Europe and America. Berenberg delivers its expertise through four divisions – Wealth Management, Asset Management, Investment Bankingand Corporate Banking.
Berenberg is lead by Managing Partners who are fully responsible for the bank. In its 427 year history there have been only 38 of them. In the last ten years, Berenberg doubled its staff to 1,500 professionals to deliver a modern and efficient service, while maintaining a firm connection with its 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 Hendrik Riehmer, 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.”
BERENBERG AND GPI RELATIONSHIP
Between Berenberg, the second oldest bank in the world, and Gary Player, Berenberg staged the first European Senior Tour tournament in South Africa 2010 and since that time a deep relationship between Mr. Player and Berenberg has developed. Gary Player is one of many brand ambassadors of Berenberg in golf, besides Tom Watson, Colin Montgomerie, Martin Kaymer, Branden Grace, Bernhard Langer, Fred Couples, Georgia Hall and Maria Parra Luque.
DEPAUL UK
Depaul UK helps young people who are homeless, vulnerable and disadvantaged.
• It protects young people by finding them a place to call home.
• It prevents young people becoming homeless by rebuilding family relationships and offering through-the-gate support to young offenders.
• It provides 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. The 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 it was founded in 1989 and continues to work with over 3,000 young people a year, providing over 120,000 bed nights to those who are vulnerable and in need.
The Gary Player Invitational at Wentworth has helped to provide emergency accommodation for young people facing the night sleeping rough through Depaul’s Nightstop London scheme.
These funds have helped support more than 300 vulnerable young homeless people living for up to two years within Depaul’s supported hostels in London.
Depaul’s London hostels help young people to break the cycle of homelessness and overcome the challenges they face by providing a number of support services, including:
• A safe private room in supported staffed accommodation
• Full-time key workers to help young people tackle the problems they face and plan for stable futures
• Money management support and training to help young people to budget, overcome debt, and plan for the future
• Employability support and training to build young people’s skills and help them into employment
• Health, life-skills and tenancy support
• Family mediation to help young people reconnect with their families and rebuild relationships where possible
95% of young people living within Depaul hostels experience a positive move-on when they leave Depaul.
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