Gary Player

Gary Player (Wikipedia (lady 11390))

Gary Player was born on November 1 1935 in Johanesburg, South Africa. He was the youngest of 3 kids. His parents were Harry and Muriel Player. When he was 8 years old his mother died of cancer and his father was away from home working in gold mines. His father managed to get a loan in order to buy his son a set of golf clubs to begin playing. Gary's love for golf was started in the Virginia park golf course in Johanesburg. When he was 14 he played his first round of golf and parred at the first 3 holes. When he was 16 he decided and announced that he was going to become the number one in the world. When he was just 17 he became a pro golfer. He married his wife Vivienne Verwey (the sister of the pro golfer Bobby Verwey) on Janauary 19, 1957 four years after turning a pro. They have 6 children. He also has 21 grandchildren. His oldest son Marc Player owns and operates Black Night International, which exclusively represents Gary Player.

Gary Player in 2008 (Wikipedia (lady 11390))

Gary Player is one of the best golfers in history. Arnold Palmer Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player are "The Big 3". He has 166 tournament wins. He is one of the only 5 golfers to win the "Career Grand Slam". He completed the grand slam in 1965 when he was 29. Gary Player has been called the world's most traveled athlete because he has traveled more than 15 million miles. In 1974 he became one of the few golfers to win two major championships in one year. Since Player is South African he could not participate in the Ryder Cup in which Americans and Europeans compete against each other. " Things I have seen in the Ryder Cup have disappointed me, you are hearing about war and hatred" remarked Player about the event. Gary Player is in the golf hall of fame.

In1983 the Player family established the Player Foundation.  This foundation is to provide less fortunate children in South Africa with education, health care, nutrition, and extra-curricular activities. Through several annual events all around the world The Player Foundation has raised over $50 million. The Player Foundation is headquartered in Palm Beach, Florida and operates as a non-profit organization. Gary Player feels very strongly that we have to look after the youth in order to ensure a positive future. What began as a little organization to help few kids around Gary Player has now grown to supporting and partnering with schools. Every year The Player Foundation along with Black Knight International run four events to raise money for charities, mainly for underprivileged children's education.

The Player Foundation makes Gary Player a hero in many ways. First of all he founded the organization. Second he could have kept all of his money to himself or spent it on exotic cars. Gary Player is also a hero because when he was a kid he lost his mom at a very young age and he barely even got to see his dad because he was a minor. Most people in this situation would have just given up because they have no guidance. Gary Player had the determination and desire to go on and be successful.

"The harder you work, the luckier you get" - Gary Player                                    

Gary player teaches us a very valuable lesson. It doesn't matter who you are or how much money you have. If you work hard, set goals, and work towards those goals anything is possible. Gary Player started out as a poor South African boy and with dedication, determination, and hard work he became one of the most successful golfers in the history.