Gary Player - South African Golfer, Career and Family

Gary Player's Personal Details

Gary Player is a South African golfer famous for being only the third golfer to win the “Grand Slam of Golf”

Gary Player's photo

Who is Gary Player?

Gary Player is a South African golfer considered to be one of the greatest players of the game. He is most famous for becoming the only non-American to win the “Grand Slam of Golf” consisting of the Masters, the U.S. Open, the British Open and the PGA championship. Among the most successful players of the game, his career spans across almost six decades and he has won more than 160 tournaments across six continents. He started playing golf as a teenager - every success made him more determined to become one of the greatest players of the game. He turned professional at the age of 17 and joined the PGA tour four years later. He is often referred to as Mr. Fitness and is known for the strict health regime and exercise routine that he follows. He is well-known not just for his accomplishments on the golf course, but also for being a man of principles and values - he is someone who is respected not only for being a great player, but also for being an awesome human being. His ‘The Player Foundation’ works to provide education, nutrition and medical care to underprivileged children. The foundation has till date contributed more than $50 million to various children’s charities. He is also a world famous golf course architect who has designed more than 320 golf courses all over the world. In addition, he has written, or co-written 36 books on golf.

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Childhood & Early Life

Career

Awards & Achievements

Personal Life & Legacy

Trivia

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Gary Player's awards

Gary Player biography timelines

• // 1st Nov 1935
  Gary Player was born to Muriel and Harry Player in 1935 in South Africa. He lost his mother to cancer when he was only eight. His father worked in gold mines and strived hard to raise his kids in the best possible manner.
• // 1953 To 1958
  He turned professional in 1953 and joined the PGA tour in 1957. He played in the Kentucky Derby Open in 1958 and registered his first PGA tour event win.
• // 1957
  He married his friend’s sister, Vivienne Verwey in 1957. The couple has six children and 22 grandchildren. Player is a dedicated family man completely devoted to his large extended family.
• // 1959
  His first victory at a major tournament came in 1959 when he won the British Open Championship, the oldest of the four major professional golf championships.
• // 1961
  He registered two back to back wins in 1961 by winning the Lucky International Open in January and the Sunshine Open Invitational in March.
• // 1961
  In the Masters Tournament in 1961, he played against Arnold Palmer of the US and won the game by one dramatic stroke, becoming the first non-American to win the tournament.
• // Apr 1961
  He played in the Masters Tournament, one of the biggest golfing tournaments in April 1961 and won the match by a margin of one stroke.
• // 1962 To 1968
  He beat Bob Goalby in the 1962 PGA Championship to win the match by a margin of one stroke. He won many other matches during the 1960s, the most notable of them being the U.S. Open in 1965 and The Open Championship in 1968.
• // 1965
  He played in the World Cup team for South Africa in 1965 in Madrid. Player had a stiff neck, and yet he played getting the best individual score and won the trophy.
• // 1965
  In 1965, he won the U.S. Open, becoming the first non-American to do so. He also became the third player ever to win all the four major golf championships—the “Grand Slam of Golf”.
• // 1974 To 1978
  This prolific player had a wonderful time in the 1970s as well. He won the Open Championship in 1974 and the Masters Tournament twice (1974 and 1978).
• // 1974
  Playing in the Masters Tournament in 1974, he hit his nine iron shot on the 71st hole. The shot was considered to be the most significant one played during the year, and helped him win the match.
• // 1983
  Gary Player feels very strongly about giving back to the society and the Player family established the Player Foundation in 1983 to provide education, nutrition and medical care to impoverished children in South Africa.
• // 1986 To 1988
  The decade of 1980 was the best time for the golfer as he remained in top form throughout, winning more than 20 titles. The major victories during this period were PGA Senior Championship (1986 and 1988), U.S. Senior Open (1987 and 1988), and British Senior Open (1988).
• // 1988
  He shot a 69 during the final round of the British Open in 1988 and achieved another significant victory.
• // 1990 To 1997
  He started the 1990s with a winning performance in the British Senior Open in 1990 which he repeated in 1997. He also won the Bank One Senior Classic twice—in 1993 and 1995.
• // 1990
  In the 1990 PGA Seniors Championship, he shot 29 on the front nine during the third round, beating Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino and Chi Chi Rodriguez to win the trophy.
• // 2000 To 2001
  In spite of his advancing age, Player showed no signs of slowing down. He continued playing golf and won the Senior Skins Game in 2000 and 2001.
• // 2000
  He was voted “Sportsman of the Century” in South Africa in 2000.
• // 2003
  He was awarded the Order of Ikhamanga (Gold for exceptional achievement) in 2003 by the president of South Africa for excellence in golf and contribution to non-racial sport in South Africa.
• // 2006
  The Payne Stewart Award was bestowed upon him by the PGA Tour in 2006 to honour his utmost commitment to the game of golf.
• // 2012
  In 2012, he was honoured with the PGA Tour Lifetime Achievement Award, which is presented to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the PGA Tour over an extended period of time.

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Gary Player's FAQ

• What is Gary Player birthday?

  Gary Player was born at 1935-11-01

• Where is Gary Player's birth place?

  Gary Player was born in Johannesburg, South Africa

• What is Gary Player nationalities?

  Gary Player's nationalities is South African

• What is Gary Player nick names?

  Gary Player's nickNames is The Black Knight

• Who is Gary Player spouses?

  Gary Player's spouses is Vivienne Verwey

• Who is Gary Player siblings?

  Gary Player's siblings is Ian Player

• Who is Gary Player childrens?

  Gary Player's childrens is Marc Player Amanda Player Theresa Player Jennifer Player Michele Player, Wayne Player

• Which company or organization was founded by Gary Player?

  Gary Player was the founder/co-founder of Gary Player Design

• How tall is Gary Player?

  Gary Player's height is 168

• Who is Gary Player's father?

  Gary Player's father is Harry Player

• Who is Gary Player's mother?

  Gary Player's mother is Muriel Player

• What is Gary Player's sun sign?

  Gary Player is Scorpio

• How famous is Gary Player?

  Gary Player is famouse as South African golfer