Event Details
China 2012
October 29 - 30
Gary Player Pledges To Help Black Golfers In South Africa
South African golfing great Gary Player has committed himself to helping the country’s black professional golfers do well globally. The legendary Player has formed a partnership with Sports and Recreation Minister Fikile Mbalula to assist in supporting the professional black golfers financially.
A prominent and successful South African sports star during the apartheid era, Player said he wanted to plough back into the community by helping rising black golfers. He is also involved in various charities through the Gary Player Foundation where he is working with black communities to improve their lives.
“We have the Gary Player Invitation, an annual event which we use to raise funds for charity organisations. This year’s event will take place in Zimbali from November 10 to 13.
“We agreed with Minister Mbalula and his team to use this event to raise additional funds for leading black professional golfers.
“I hope that they (government) don’t take him (Mbalula) away from sport and recreation as a minister, he is a man with energy and passion. His passion for sport is very important,” Player said.
“I was happy to hear him say we must revive school sport, that will also help us stop obesity.”
Marc Tudhope, Player’s agent, said: “Gary wants to help create top black professional golfers to follow in the footsteps of Charl Schwartzel, Louis Oosthuizen and Ernie Els.
“We have James Kamte but the aim is to see (other) successful black professional golfers.
“We will also work with the Gary Player School for Champions in Midrand where we have black golfers on the programme.”
Article courtesy of Sowetan Live
