Bryson DeChambeau has called him a “force for good”, and a selection of sports stars, celebrities, Sunshine Tour professionals and business leaders will similarly seek to join forces with Gary Player and support his drive for a better South Africa in this weekend’s Gary and Vivienne Player Invitational at Sun City.
The 36-hole tournament, to be played at the Lost City Golf Club on Saturday and Sunday, will once again raise vital funds for the Blair Atholl Pre-Primary School near Lanseria, which is currently supported by the Gary and Vivienne Player Foundation and its patrons.
This weekend will bring together a varied collection of people who all believe in a better South Africa, and who share the vision of this tournament, which since 2000 has worked to play its part in giving back to society.
This year’s field includes football greats Sir Kenny Dalglish, Christian Panucci, Shaun Bartlett, Mark Williams, Bongani Khumalo, Brian Baloyi, Jimmy Tau; and rugby legends Steven Kitshoff, Siviwe Soyizwapi, Butch James, Brent Russell, Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Schalk Brits, Patrick Lambie, Owen Nkumane, Kade Wolhuter, Selvyn Davids, Ryan Kankowski and Jaco Kriel.
Irish pop stars Brian McFadden and Keith Duffy are also in the field, as is former Miss South Africa and Miss World Rolene Strauss, comedian David Kau, and personalities Maps Maponyane, Felicity Shiba, Katlego Maboe and Kuhle Sonkosi.
A glittering array of business giants from Rolex, Sun International, Citadel Wealth Management, Tabono, BMW, The Pro Shop and Cell C will also gather as they continue their support of the Gary and Vivienne Player Foundation South Africa (GVPF SA).
And a field of 28 Sunshine Tour professionals will also compete in the Tour’s own tribute to Gary Player.
This includes current Courier Guy Order of Merit leader Samuel Simpson, Luke Brown – a two-time winner this season –, as well as Graham van der Merwe, Jason Roets and Tyran Snyders who are all currently in the top 10 on the Courier Guy Order of Merit.
Full Field
Sports Stars and Celebrities
Gary Player, Christian Panucci, Sir Kenny Dalglish, Brian McFadden, Keith Duffy, Steven Kitshoff, Siviwe Soyizwapi, Shaun Bartlett, Mark Williams, Butch James, Brent Russell, Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Bongani Khumalo, Schalk Brits, Rolene Strauss, Brian Baloyi, Patrick Lambie, David Kau, Maps Maponyane, Felicity Shiba, Jimmy Tau, Kathlego Maboe, Owen Nkumane, Kade Wolhuter, Selvyn Davids, Kuhle Sonkosi, Ryan Kankowski, Jaco Kriel.
Sunshine Tour Professionals
Ricky Hendler, Samuel Simpson, Franklin Manchest, Makhetha Mazibuko, Musiwalo Nethunzwi, Haydn Porteous, Estiaan Conradie, Robson Chinhoi, Martin Rohwer, Tyran Snyders, Herman Loubser, Jaco Prinsloo, Luke Brown, Stephen Ferreira, Keagan Thomas, Justin Walters, Wynand Dingle, Hayden Griffiths, Nikhil Rama, Karabo Mokoena, Tomas Gana, Jason Roets, James Mack, Matthew Spacey, Pierre Viallaneix, Graham van der Merwe, Xander Basson, Jordan Burnand, Stals Swart.