October 2009

The Gary Player Invitational is set to showcase some of the most distinguished golf professionals, celebrities and businessmen in the 10th anniversary of the Gary Player Invitational presented by Coca-Cola in South Africa later this year.

Masters Champion Angel Cabrera and double US Open champion Retief Goosen will join top personalities in the premier charity tournament being staged at The Links golf course at Fancourt in George, South Africa from November 26 to November 29.

The South African tournament is the pinnacle of the Gary Player Invitational Global Series of Events, which has already travelled to Scotland this year and will be visiting China and the United States in the global bid to raise funds for charity through The Player Foundation.

Among the confirmed high profile businessmen are international businessmen Dr Hans-Walter Peters and Hendrik Riehmer of Berenberg Bank - the oldest Private Bank in the world, president of Stokes Land Group Hugh Connerty, and Abdullah Saeed Al Naboodah, chairman of the Al Naboodah Group.

Other celebrities include former World Cup-winning rugby coach Sir Clive Woodward, BBC Sports presenter Sarah Stirk and Ard Matthews - guitarist and lead vocalist of internationally famed rock band, Just Jinger.

Top British entertainer, DJ Spoony, returns to the action alongside regular Pro Tour players Sandra Gal and Hennie Zul, Champions Tour campaigners Mark McNulty and John Cook, as well as European Senior Tour stalwarts, Bill Longmuir, Bertus Smit and John Bland, winner of the Bad Ragaz PGA Seniors Open in last month. South African golfers Omar Sandy's and Thomas Aiken are also set to take the field at this year's tournament.

Gary Player, winner of 18 Majors, 9 on the Regular Tour and 9 on the Champions Tour and one of only five men ever to secure the career Grand Slam, will host the tournament.

Player said, "The GPI Global series has been a wonderful vehicle in using golf to bring about social change. It brings together a marvelous and diverse society of people that get involved in our tournaments. You have golfers, movie stars, models, businessmen and celebrities all contributing to the cause of raising money for children."

The players tee off at 10am on Saturday, 28 November and Sunday, 29 November respectively. At no other golf event can spectators get as close to the participants as at the GPI SA or get to meet Gary Player himself. Tickets are available from Computicket at a cost of R75 each. For further information contact 021 671 5159.