Trio of Masters champions headed to Invitational golf

The Lost City Golf Course will host a trio of Masters champions when Gary Player, Ian Woosnam and Trevor Immelman come together with other stars in golf, business and sport at the Gary Player Invitational presented by Coca-Cola at Sun City from November 22 to 25.

The three stars have a combined five Masters titles between them, with Grand Slam champion Player donning the coveted green jacket three times in 1961, 1974 and 1978, Woosnam winning at Augusta National Golf Club in 1991, and Immelman claiming his Masters title in 2008.

And with Golf Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam also in the field, this year’s Gary Player Invitational presented by Coca-Cola has one of its strongest representations of Major champions in its history.

Player, Woosnam, Immelman and Sorenstam have a combined 30 Major Championships between them.

“I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve had a fantastic relationship with Mr Player for a long time, for which I’m very thankful. We’ve had some special moments together, not least of which has been our time spent together at The Masters, which is always memorable,” said Immelman.

The South African said he is also looking forward to returning to Sun City to support the work of The Player Foundation, which to date has raised more than $64-million (approximately R939 417 600-m) for charity and with the goal of reaching $100-m (approximately R1.4-b) by 2025.

“I’ve been fortunate to spend time with Mr Player at least three times this year supporting the Gary Player Invitational tournaments in Abu Dhabi, London and New York, and it’s great to support him in giving back in this way. I also have fond memories of Sun City having won the Nedbank Golf Challenge there in 2007. It’s going to be great going back there.”

Woosnam is equally excited about joining the “Golf and Giving” cause in South Africa once again.

“It’s always a pleasure to support Gary and help improve the lives of so many people through this tournament. I’m looking forward to it, and it’s going to be special having our own Masters club there this year.”

Sorenstam is making her debut in the South African tournament on the global Gary Player Invitational series.

“It’s an incredible honour to be part of Mr Player’s charity series and to help in any way I can to meet the goals he has set for The Player Foundation. He was certainly an inspirational figure throughout my career, particularly when I realised that as golfers we should be exercising and training like athletes and which is something he pioneered. It’s going to be really special playing in a tournament with him for such a good cause.

“We’re also really looking forward to coming out to South Africa as a family and enjoying some quality time together while also giving back in this way.”

The funds raised through the global series continue to make a worldwide impact on disadvantaged communities. In South Africa, the funds raised are donated to the foundation’s selected beneficiaries, Wildlands, in support of women empowerment and the upliftment of disadvantaged communities, and Wings & Wishes in aid of underprivileged children in need of medical care.

The Gary Player Invitational presented by Coca-Cola is the final stop on the annual series of global Gary Player Invitational tournaments played in Abu Dhabi, London, New York and Shanghai, all with the purpose of raising funds to bring hope, help, and healing in those cities and countries.

For more information on the Gary Player Invitational, visit www.garyplayerinvitational.com

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