Gary Player’s 90th birthday will feature one of the largest gatherings of South Africa’s most iconic sportsmen and the stars of the Sunshine Tour as they join one of the country’s greatest ever sportsmen in celebrating this milestone and competing in the Gary and Vivienne Player Invitational at Sun City this November.
Springbok legends such as Bryan Habana, Victor Matfield and Steven Kitshoff will join Bafana Bafana greats Lucas Radebe, Shaun Bartlett and Mark Fish, as well as Proteas cricketers Herschelle Gibbs, Jonty Rhodes and JP Duminy, Liverpool football legend Sir Kenny Dalglish, International Boxing Hall of Fame star Brian Mitchell, golf star David Frost, former Miss World Rolene Strauss, and Irish musician Brian McFadden in a veritable Hall of Fame of sports stars, golfers and celebrities who will compete in the 36-hole Gary and Vivienne Player Invitational at the Gary Player Country Club and Lost City Golf Course from 1-2 November.
This will be matched by a glittering array of business giants from Sun International, BMW, Citadel, Tabono, The Pro Shop, Rolex and Cell C as they continue their support of the Gary and Vivienne Player Foundation South Africa (GVPF SA) and its commitment to the sustainability of The Blair Atholl Pre-Primary School.
A field of 39 Sunshine Tour professionals will also compete in the Tour’s own tribute to an icon of the global game and a man who inspired generations of South African professional golfers.
The tournament will coincide with Gary Player’s 90th birthday celebration that weekend.
Nelson Mandela once declared: “Through his tremendous influence as a great athlete, Mr Player accomplished what many politicians could not… His accomplishments as a humanitarian and statesman are equal to, and may even surpass, his accomplishments as an athlete. That is a legacy that will last forever.”
Player has always sought to remain true to these words, and his desire to keep giving back will also form part of his birthday festivities as he’s asked for people worldwide to respond to his call for “90 Acts of Kindness” in a show of compassion, and for the youth to “Become a Future Player” and make an impact in their own communities.
“In life we can be called to many things. Some to become great sportsmen. Some to entertain. Some to become business leaders. And we all walk those paths of our lives. But all of us, no matter who we are, are called to be kind to one another. I’m overwhelmed by the number of people who have shown me kindness in my life, and who will do so again by joining us at Sun City. And I hope it inspires all of us to not give in to the cynicism of the world, and to keep fighting to be kind,” said Player.
FULL FIELD
Sports stars and celebrities:
Gary Player, Brian McFadden, Keith Duffy, Sir Kenny Dalglish, Steven Kitshoff, Patrick Lambie, Schalk Brits, Jonty Rhodes, Rolene Strauss, Shaun Barlett,Victor Matfield, Owen Nkumane, JP Duminy, Herschelle Gibbs, Jimmy Tau, Maps Maponyane, David Kau, Mark Williams, Siviwe Soyizwapi, Stefan Terblanche, Butch James, Brian Baloyi, Corinne Vidén, Isabella Deilert, Bryan Habana, Jean de Villiers, Brian Mitchell, Naas Botha, Lucas Radebe, Mark Fish, Odwa Ndungane, Akona Ndungane, Robbi Kempson, Bongani Kumalo, Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Jaco Kriel, Stanton Fredericks.
Sunshine Tour professionals
Oliver Bekker, Luis Carrera, Pieter Moolman, Jean Hugo, Heinrich Bruiners, Luca Filippi, Samual Simpson, Malcolm Mitchell, Luke Jerling, Yurav Premlall, Jacques Blaauw, Jacquin Hess, Makhetha Mazibuko, Karabo Mokoena, Keenan Davidse, Keelan Africa, Warwick Purchase, Altin van der Merwe, Ricky Handler, Lyle Rowe, Christiaan Burke, Fredrick From, Martin Rohwer, Jason Roets, Wynand Dingle, Graham van der Merwe, Conner Mackenzie, Jaco Prinsloo, Xander Basson, Jack Hawksby, Jake Redman, Jordan Duminy, Matthew Spacey, Ethan Smith, Doug McGuigan, Quintin Wilsnach, James Mack, Keelan van Wyk, David Frost.