George, South Africa

Trophy For Two Icons Of Africa

The winners of this week’s Gary Player Invitational, presented by Coca-Cola, at The Links at Fancourt will be presented with a new trophy, which pays tribute to the Black Knight’s passion for Africa.

The trophy, commissioned by Black Knight International CEO Marc Player, is an artistic representation of the iconic baobab tree. It was designed and created by internationally acclaimed sculptor Patrick Mavros, who was born in Zimbabwe.

“Being asked to design this trophy goes way beyond the game of golf,” said Mavros. “When you consider what Gary Player represents and his contribution to Africa as an African, and for me to be a part of something so symbolic of that contribution, it was essential to create something that represented the same enduring strength; something that is also a great iconic symbol of Africa. And that’s the baobab tree.”

The top of the trophy, featuring the tree, is made of sterling silver. The base is in the form of the base of the tree itself and is made of ebony. The trophy’s total weight is 13kg.

Mavros took his inspiration for the trophy from his own experiences in Zimbabwe.

“This particular tree has been created from three different baobabs that I have encountered in Zimbabwe, particularly from ones that I found along the Zambezi and those cavernous ones from the south east Lowveld.”

The original trophy will remain at the Black Knight International offices in South Africa, and the winning fourball this week will receive four miniatures.

Nine plaques have also been embedded into the base of the main trophy representing the eight previous winners and the 2008 champions of the Gary Player Invitational in South Africa.

“Now we’ve embedded the roots of the Player legacy and the winners of the event appropriately – deep within this trophy itself,” said Mavros.

For additional information contact:

Lali Stander
Media Manager
Gary Player Invitational
Tel: +27 82 990 7150
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)




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