June 12th, 2008
Gary Player joins Executive Golf
Gary Player is the winner of nine major titles, including both the Open Championship and Masters three times each; the holder of a career Grand Slam; and one of the most recognisable figures in sport. Now 72, his efforts are dedicated away from his own playing career. He has a burgeoning course design business with more than 250 projects around the globe, breeds racehorses and close to his home in South Africa has established with his foundation a schools project which educates more than 500 underprivileged children throughout their formative years.
He is also a fitness fanatic – a world-class figure. Martin Gillingham, Executive Golf magazine editor, can perhaps best illustrate the great man’s human qualities with a personal tale.
Martin once presented a radio show and his guest for the evening, on the end of a telephone line, was supposed to be Gary Player.
Unfortunately, Martin’s plans to have such a distinguished guest on the show were scuppered; a traditional highveld summer storm had lashed over the course, causing a one-hour delay, and meaning that at the time Gary was supposed to be talking to him he was, in fact, handing out the prizes at a Seniors’ event. It messed the show up a bit but Martin consoled himself in the knowledge that the inconvenience had been caused not by a sporting superstar’s prickliness, ego or couldn’t-care-less attitude but rather what the actuarial profession might deem an Act of God. Indeed, as Martin fumbled for something to talk about on the radio, Mr Player’s personal representative had rung through to his producer to issue a sincere apology on her boss’s behalf. It was unnecessary, though; he understood.
Gary Player has always had a reputation for being well-mannered and efficient. He didn’t as a rule let people down. After he had finished at the studios Martin drove home and ate dinner with his wife. Disappointment about his difficult day at the office had long passed. But then the phone rang. His wife went to answer it. A few moments later she came back to the table with a smile across a face and said, “It’s for you – he says he’s Gary Player”.
And it was – a sporting icon had looked his number up in the book and called. Apparently, he just wanted to say he was sorry. A touch of class.
A decade on from that call, it is a great pleasure and privilege to welcome aboard Gary Player, one of the game’s greatest ever players and surely its finest gentleman, as Executive Golf’s Playing Editor.
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