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Golf legend Gary Player celebrated his 90th birthday at Sun City, a place that holds a special place in his career. He shared his thoughts on social media, saying he felt thankful to be surrounded by friends and family on such a special day.The celebration took place alongside the 36-hole Gary & Vivienne Player Invitational, played at both the Gary Player Country Club and the Lost City Golf Club. The event, hosted by the Gary & Vivienne Player Foundation, helps support the Blair Atholl Pre-Primary School, a cause close to Gary and his late wife, Vivienne.Sharing a post on Instagram on Saturday, 1st October, Player wrote,“What an incredible feeling to be back at Sun City, surrounded by friends, family, and supporters who have walked this journey with me for so many years. As I turn 90, I find myself even more grateful for the privilege to keep doing what I love most - bringing people together through golf, charity, and friendship. Here’s to a weekend of #GolfandGiving, as we continue Vivienne’s dream to change lives through the Foundation we built together.” View this post on Instagram Instagram PostSunshine Tour commissioner Thomas Abt said it was a privilege for their players to be part of the event and to celebrate Player’s milestone.“Gary Player has always been one of the Sunshine Tour’s greatest ambassadors. We are truly blessed by his ongoing support of our Tour and the inspiration he is to our professionals. It is an honour for our professionals to be here, and to wish him a very happy 90th birthday on behalf of the Sunshine Tour,” Abt said. (via Compleat golfer.com)After the first round on Saturday at the Gary & Vivienne Player Invitational, former Miss World Rolene Strauss and her team, which included Sunshine Tour professional Christiaan Burke and amateur guests Greg Deglise and Francois Verhack, led the field with 96 points at the Lost City Golf Club.A total of 43 Sunshine Tour players have joined celebrities and business leaders for the event. The field includes veterans like David Frost, along with current champions Luis Carrera, Pieter Moolman, and Warwick Purchase, all competing for the Baobab Trophy.Gary Player: the Man, the Myth, the LegendGary Player’s journey from a young boy in South Africa to one of golf’s biggest names is a story of hard work and determination. He was born on November 1, 1935, and lost his mother to cancer when he was just eight years old. The loss inspired him to work even harder, and he turned professional at 18.With a letter of recommendation from his father, Gary Player received an invitation to play in the 1957 Masters. Two years later, he won his first major at the 1959 Open Championship at Muirfield, becoming the youngest Open winner of the 20th century.In 1965, he made history as the first non-American to complete the career Grand Slam. His last major victory came at the 1978 Masters, where he shot a six-under 30 on the back nine to win by one shot.Even at 90, Player continues to love the game and stays as competitive as ever. Speaking to Golf Digest, he said,“I try to beat my age. But I love what Lee Trevino says, ‘What’s so good about that? You’re 90. Quit boasting about it.’”With nine major titles and over 100 professional wins, Gary Player’s career remains one of golf’s greatest examples of hard work and passion.
