Professional golfers and business personalities help the Black Knight
raise more than $300,000 for the Player Foundation
(New York, NY) Black Knight International and title sponsor Berenberg concluded another successful event among top golf professionals and business leaders at the 2017 Berenberg Gary Player Invitational.
The U.S. leg of the global series celebrated the Union of Golf and Giving on October 1-2 at GlenArbor Golf Club in New York. The annual charity event raised more than $300,000 for The Player Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting underprivileged children, the betterment of impoverished communities and the expansion of educational opportunities across the globe.
This year’s all-star participant list featured notable golfers including Grand Slam Champion Gary Player; eight-time Major winner Tom Watson; six-time Major winner Lee Trevino; Masters Champions Bernhard Langer, Mark O’Meara, Trevor Immelman, Larry Mize and Mike Weir; Presidents Cup player, Branden Grace; 19-time winner on the LPGA Tour, Cristie Kerr; Other participants included Morgan Pressel, Bill Haas, Jay Haas, Billy Horschel, Tom Lehman, Jeff Sluman, Juli Inkster, Alison Lee, Hunter Mahan, Chris DiMarco, Kristy McPherson, Gerina Piller, Nicole Hage, Mallory Blackwelder, Victoria Elizabeth, Victoria Lovelady, Briana Mao, Ginger Howard, Blair O’Neal and Alexandra O’Laughlin.
The winning team led by Tom Watson and Alison Lee scored 96 points, earning them the Baobab Trophy as champions of the 2017 Berenberg Gary Player Invitational at GlenArbor Golf Club.
To conclude an exciting day on the golf course, participants continued the festivities with a black-tie dinner and gala auction in the evening. The prized piece of the auction was a collection of autographed Masters badges from 1960 to 2017 which sold for $160,000. The funds raised throughout the event pushed The Player Foundation’s total donations to more than $64 million.
“Each year I am humbled by the turnout of this event and the support we receive for The Player Foundation,” said Gary Player. “I am grateful for the kindness of our colleagues and friends who have given their time and generosity to helping us reach our goal of raising $100 million for those in need.”
Hendrik Riehmer, Managing Partner at Berenberg commented, “We are honored to continue our partnership with Gary Player in his efforts to aid underprivileged children around the world. In addition to being a tremendous ambassador for the game of golf, his desire to help improve the livelihood of others is an inspiration to us all.”
Marc Player, CEO of Black Knight International and GPI series founder, added, “We are very appreciative of all of the field participants and the contributions made by our sponsors. They have been key contributors to the success of our philanthropic efforts throughout the world.”
In addition to title sponsor Berenberg, global brands including Porsche, Rolex, SAP and Lavazza also supported the tournament.
This was the third Gary Player Invitational staged at GlenArbor Golf Club, set just outside of New York City in Bedford. The Gary Player designed course of nearly 7000 yards course recently underwent bunker renovation, and was in pristine condition to host more than 30 professional golfers. Fall is the perfect time of the year to witness this special course in all its beauty.
The Berenberg Gary Player Invitational, sponsored by Berenberg, the German private and investment bank that was founded in 1590, forms part of the world-leading charity golf event series, which has helped The Player Foundation raise more than $64 million for charities worldwide. The ultimate goal of The Player Foundation is to donate $100 million by 2025 to the support of children’s charities, the betterment of impoverished communities and the expansion of educational opportunities.
ENDS
For more information please 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:
BGPI 2017 Participants
1. Gary Player
2. Branden Grace
3. Bernhard Langer
4. Tom Watson
5. Jeff Sluman
6. Mark O’Meara
7. Bill Haas
8. Lee Trevino
9. Billy Horschel
10. Tom Lehman
11. Mike Weir
12. Trevor Immelman
13. Hunter Mahan
14. Chris DiMarco
15. Jay Haas
16. Tony Finau
17. Larry Mize
18. Kristy McPherson
19. Morgan Pressel
20. Cristie Kerr
21. Gerina Piller
22. Alison Lee
23. Blair O’Neal
24. Nicole Hage
25. Mallory Blackwelder
26. Victoria Elizabeth
27. Victoria Lovelady
28. Briana Mao
29. Ginger Howard
30. Juli Inkster
31. Alexandra O’Laughlin
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 five 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, 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 $63 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 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 Banking and 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.
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