The 2023 Gary & Vivienne Player Invitational
The Gary & Vivienne Player Invitational
- Nine-time Major champion Gary Player raised over R3 million for charity at the Gary and Vivienne Player Invitational in Sun City.
- The 36-hole Sunshine Tour event included sport stars and professionals from Shaun Bartlett, Sally Little, Naas Botha and Herschelle Gibbs.
- Sunshine Tour professional Robin Williams, Pamela Senior, Neil Senior and chef Reuben Riffel won the event.
- For more sports news, go to the News24 Sport front page.
Nine-time Major champion Gary Player raised over R3 million with the help of Sunshine Tour professionals, sports personalities, business leaders and friends at the 2023 Gary and Vivienne Player Invitational over sweltering weekend in Sun City.
The 36-hole event was held at Lost City Golf Course and was won by Sunshine Tour professional Robin Williams.
All proceeds raised will go towards the Blair Atholl Pre-Primary School.
The 88-year-old Player played in his charity tournament with Kyle Barker, Larry Nestadt and Miguel Morreirra.
The Blair Atholl school is situated in the Lanseria area, north-west of Johannesburg, near the Blair Atholl Golf and Equestrian Estate – home of this year’s Investec South African Open (30 November-3 December).
The pre-primary school, which was opened by the Players in 1990, provides education to the children of local farmworkers and has now grown to educate 125 children between the ages of three and six.
During the two-day event in Sun City, former sports stars and celebrity personalities came out in force to support Player, including the likes of Sally Little, Pat Lambie, Herschelle Gibbs, Shaun Bartlett and Naas Botha.
“I have been blessed to have experienced great success in my career and life, and for that, I am truly grateful,” said Player.
“I am overwhelmed by the show of support from all the wonderful people this weekend who gave up their time to be with us and to help me keep a promise to my late wife, Vivienne, that we will ensure the future of the Blair Atholl Pre-Primary School we both started all those years ago.
“Thank you in particular to our partners Rolex, Sun International, BMW, Amrod and new partners Citadel and Tabono, as well as the Sunshine Tour professionals for all their support.”
The pro-am tournament was won by the team of Williams, chef Reuben Riffel and Pamela and Neil Senior on 44-under par total on 188 points.
Robin Williams, Pam Senior, Gary Player, Neil Senior and Reuben Riffel
Williams shot 10-under with a bogey-free final round on Sunday, which included an eagle to help secure the title for his fourball.
“I had fun, we had great chemistry as a team. We just worked well together. It’s a great tournament and it means a lot to us as golfers,” said Williams.
“He (Player) is an inspiration to us all and golf in general. We just thank him for organising this amazing tournament and for all he’s done for us and for bringing us all together. It’s an amazing place.”
Williams and all those on the Sunshine Tour circuit now switch their attention to the first of the DP World Tour’s SA swing, which starts with next week’s Joburg Open at Houghton Golf Club.
*News24 was in Sun City, courtesy of the Gary and Vivienne Player Invitational
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