Staff WriterThere aren’t many men who turn 90 by hopping on a golf cart to inspect their own masterpiece—but then again, there’s only one Gary Player. As South Africa’s greatest sporting icon celebrated his milestone birthday, he did so the only way he knows how: surrounded by friends, legends, and a fairway that bears his name.
The Gary Player Country Club at Sun City was alive with the sound of golf balls and applause on Friday as Sunshine Tour professionals and a star-studded cast of South Africa’s sporting heroes arrived to honour the Black Knight’s 90th year.
And while others might be content to sit back and reflect, Gary Player was doing what he’s done for seven decades—studying the turf, checking the bunkers, and ensuring his design still plays as beautifully as it looks.
Player’s relationship with Sun City is a story etched into South African sporting folklore. The legendary course he designed has hosted countless champions, and like its creator, it has evolved with time.
The Gary Player Country Club and its sister course, the Lost City Golf Club, now stand as twin monuments to a man who never stopped moving forward—first as a world-beating golfer, then a visionary course designer, and now as a tireless philanthropist.
This weekend, both courses take centre stage for the Gary & Vivienne Player Invitational, a 36-hole tournament held in partnership with the Gary & Vivienne Player Foundation, raising funds for the Blair Atholl Pre-Primary School. It’s an event where golf meets goodwill—a celebration of sport, service, and one man’s lifelong commitment to giving back.
The Sunshine Tour has joined the festivities in fitting style, assembling a field of 43 professionals to compete alongside celebrity guests and business leaders for the coveted Baobab Trophy.
Familiar names such as David Frost, Luis Carrera, Pieter Moolman, and Warwick Purchase will tee it up, each playing their part in honouring the man who has carried South African golf onto the world stage.
Sunshine Tour Commissioner Thomas Abt summed up the sentiment perfectly: “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.”
For all the glamour surrounding the occasion, the heart of the weekend remains grounded in what Gary Player has always believed in—education, opportunity, and the spirit of generosity.
Through key partners including Sun International, BMW, Citadel, Tabono, The Pro Shop, Rolex, and Cell C, the event continues to strengthen the endowment fund supporting the Blair Atholl Pre-Primary School, ensuring a lasting legacy for future generations.
To mark the milestone, fans are encouraged to join the global campaign by sharing their own good deeds using the hashtag #90Acts, a fitting tribute to a man whose life has been built on hard work, discipline, and kindness.
Support the Gary & Vivienne Player Foundation South Africa’s ongoing work here:
👉 garyandvivienneplayerfoundationdonate.org/southafrica
And follow the stories as they unfold: 📸 @gary.player | @gvpfsa
At 90 years young, Gary Player isn’t just looking back on a legendary career—he’s still shaping the future of the game he loves.
