Gary Player Invitational

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CELEBRITIES, PROFESSIONAL GOLFERS & BUSINESSMEN RAISE OVER $200,000 FOR CHARITY AT THIS YEAR’S GARY PLAYER INVITATIONAL IN LONDON

LONDON (August 3, 2007) – On Monday, July 30, 2007 over 100 personalities including celebrities, sports stars, philanthropists and corporate guests joined Gary Player in raising over $200,000 for disadvantaged children in South Africa and other poverty-stricken communities globally. The Player Foundation and MaAfrika Tikkun were the beneficiaries of the 15th annual Gary Player Invitational, a two-day event staged at the exclusive Wentworth Club outside London.

For over 20 years, the Gary Player Foundation has provided quality education, nutrition, medical care, transport and extra-curricular activities to children around the world. This year the foundation partnered with the award-winning South African charity MaAfrika Tikkun, who trains community caregivers to support vulnerable children in HIV-affected townships in Africa.

Celebrities attending this year’s event included TV and radio personalities Bruce Forsyth, Diana Stewart, DJ Spoony, as well as international sporting legends Brian Lara, Ian Wright, Will Greenwood, Sir Clive Woodward, Kenny Logan, Mark Bright, Tony Dorigo, Phil Babb and Jamie Redknapp. Joining Player in the professional field were fellow South Africans John Bland, Bobby Lincoln and Tony Johnstone.

After a witty welcome on Sunday by former rugby star turned master of ceremonies, Martin Bayfield, The Player Group unveiled the first edition of PLAYER Magazine. Guests received the first copies of the quarterly publication “hot off the press” and engaged in an intimate Q & A session with Gary Player.

Thanking event sponsors and participants, Player said, “Golf is unique in its ability to bring like-minded individuals together to enjoy each other’s company and achieve good things by helping to raise much needed funds for the charities.”

Skies cleared and the sun showed up for the pro-celebrity golf tournament held on Monday, which was followed by an entertaining evening in the Grand Ballroom with former rugby star turned master of ceremonies Martin Bayfield. After dinner and a live musical performance, guests showed their generosity in an auction.

The most popular auction item – to support an orphan for a year through MaAfrika Tikkun’s Angels Programme – was taken over a dozen times. Said MaAfrika Tikkun UK Chairman Gary Lubner, “The children are the real winners and we are grateful that so many people helped make their future brighter.”

GARY PLAYER INVITATIONAL AT WENTWORTH TO BENEFIT IMPOVERISHED COMMUNITIES WORLDWIDE

Gary Player, on behalf of MaAfrika Tikkun and The Player Foundation, will host the Gary Player Invitational at Wentworth Club on July 30th 2007. This will be the 15th running of the event in the UK or Europe with the aim of raising funds for underprivileged children’s education in South Africa and around the world. This year’s joint beneficiary will be the MaAfrika Tikkun organization, which aids communities plagued by HIV, poverty and high unemployment in Africa.

Gary Player welcomed MaAfrica Tikkun as a beneficiary: “The Lubner and Player families have been friends for over 40 years, so I am delighted on behalf of The Player Foundation and Tikkun to see us collaborate on the GPI and raise funds for the respective charities that we both hold so near and dear.”

The Gary Player Invitational draws upon friends from global business, celebrity and sporting arenas to join the Black Knight at Wentworth for a both challenge on the golf course and giving back to society.

Coinciding with the welcome reception on Sunday evening before tee-off, will be the unveiling of PLAYER Magazine, a lifestyle publication for those who love golf, travel, property, wine, fashion and philanthropy.

Monday’s celebrity golf tournament will be followed by a dinner and auction in the Wentworth Ballroom hosted by Gary Player and the witty Martin Bayfield, former rugby player for England.

2006 GARY PLAYER INVITATIONAL: STARS AND BUSINESSES UNITE FOR RECORD EVENT
July 26, 2006

An impressive line-up of celebrities and businesses joined all-time legend Gary Player, on Sunday 23rd and Monday 24th July at Wentworth Club for one of the most successful charity golf events in recent history.

On Sunday night guests enjoyed fine wine, provided by Boschendal, exquisite dining courtesy of Wentworth Club, a Charity Casino by one of London’s most historic and prestigious casinos – Aspinalls, and the once-in-a-lifetime chance to quiz the Black Knight on matters range from golf’s development to health, fitness and other social matters.

The following day guests took to the course after a short-game masterclass from Gary Player, and a Coca-Cola team led by Justin Rose romped to a 10 shot victory, with Rose himself shooting a 7-under par 65. That evening guests enjoyed the humour of MC, Martin Bayfield, as well as the vocal talents of fast-emerging solo star Lee Ryan.

Initial estimates are that in the region of one hundred and fifty thousand pounds was raised at the event. This money will go to The Player Foundation, a charity set up nearly 25 years ago to benefit the lives of underprivileged children around the world.

In attendance at this year’s event were golfing stars Paul Casey and Justin Rose, as well as other celebrities such as Michael Stich, Ian Wright and Jamie Redknapp, Jerry Guscott, Alec Stewart and Vernon Kay, as well as strong female celebrity support from Gabby Logan, Diana Stewart and Michelle Heaton.

The event, presented by Coca-Cola, and sponsored by Wentworth Club, Davenport Lyons, Callaway Golf, Pringle of Scotland and Boschendal was the subject of much media attention, including a half-hour television programme to air later this month on Sky Sports.

LEADING BUSINESSES AND CELEBRITIES CONTINUE THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE GARY PLAYER INVITATIONAL

Callaway Golf , the world-renowned Boschendal wine company, luxury fashion brand Pringle of Scotland and leading law firm Davenport Lyons , have all renewed their sponsorship commitments of the Gary Player Invitational presented by Coca-Cola . This year's event takes place Sunday 23rd and Monday 24th July at the Wentworth Club. All deals were negotiated by event promoters Octagon , on behalf of rights holder, Black Knight International .

In addition to this business support, acceptances to play in the event have been received from celebrities ranging from Hollywood film star Dougray Scott; ex-Wimbledon tennis champion Michael Stich; footballing icons David Ginola, Ian Wright and Jamie Redknapp, rugby and cricket legends including Shane Warne, Jerry Guscott, Will Carling, Alec Stewart and Sir Clive Woodward; popular TV presenters Steve Rider and Vernon Kay, as well as strong female celebrity support from Gabby Logan, Diana Stewart, Susie Amy and Michelle Heaton.

From the professional golf world, in addition to all-time legend and host Gary Player, Hugh Baiochi, Paul Casey and Justin Rose will be participating. With such a high calibre field it is no surprise that the playing field, made up of businesses making substantial donations to play in the event, has completely sold out.

In other areas of the event, exposure for this year's event will be heightened with a half-hour programme due to air on Sky Sports and other international broadcast platforms, and a further announcement is expected shortly regards high-profile live entertainment at the event's Official Dinner.

GARY PLAYER INVITATIONAL RETURNS TO WENTWORTH

On Monday 24th July, 2006, an all-star line-up, consisting of top professional golfers and other sports and entertainment celebrities, will join golfing legend Gary Player, as well as a host of leading business executives, at Wentworth Club for this year's Gary Player Invitational charity golf event.

The Coca-Cola Company has renewed their presenting sponsorship of this special event, alongside their involvement with other Gary Player hosted events worldwide, including the season-ending Nelson Mandela Invitational, South Africa's premier charity golf event.

The aim of the event is to raise as much money as possible for The Player Foundation, a charity with a guiding mission to improve the lives of underprivileged children around the world. To date the series of events has raised in excess of $10million (USD) for charity. Funds are raised primarily through sponsorship, the sale of teams to play in the golf event over Wentworth's Edinburgh Course, designed by Gary Player, John Jacobs and Bernard Gallacher, and at Auction where select memorabilia and collectables go to the highest bidder.

Proof that the event goes from strength to strength, the 2005 event was supported by leading golfers including Tim Clark, Lee Westwood, Paul Casey, Andrew Coltart and Alastair Forsyth, as well as other celebrities such as Ronan Keating, Alan Hansen, Gary Lineker, David Ginola, Kenny Dalglish, Sir Bobby Charlton, Matt Dawson, and Michael Stich. This year the aim is for an even stronger field.

The business community similarly continues in their support, led by Coca-Cola, companies such as Davenport Lyons, Boschendal, Pringle, Dell Computers, SAP, Callaway Golf, Rolex and Coutts Private Banking pledge generous amounts to participate in this unique event.