Gary Player Invitational raises huge charity sum

A star-studded golf day at Wentworth hosted by Gary Player raised more than $150,000 for charity.

The annual Berenberg Gary Player Invitational was staged on the Edinburgh course at the Surrey venue.

The field played host to some of the game’s most successful players, including Masters Champion Danny Willett, Martin Kaymer and Tom Watson.

This year’s tournament was in support of Depaul, an organisation that helps homeless and vulnerable young people in London.

The tournament was won by Padraig Harrington’s team, which saw the three-time Major champion shoot a superb 62, alongside Ladies European Tour player Caroline Martens.

“It is an honour that so many of the game’s great players came together for our union of golf and giving,” said Player.

“The generosity on display during the gala dinner, alongside the on-going support by our title sponsor Berenberg, continues to amaze me and we feel humbled to have helped such a wonderful and worthwhile cause in Depaul.”

The gala dinner  also brought together players for the game’s most decorated selfie, featuring 12 Major champions, with 32 Major victories collectively.

Dr Hans-Walter Peters, Managing Partner at Berenberg, added: “Gary Player is not only a great ambassador for the game of golf and Berenberg but his philanthropic initiatives, such as the GPI series, continue to help improve society as a whole.

“We continue to be very proud of our association with Gary, this event and to play a part in helping to raise money for our chosen charity, Depaul.”

As well as Wentworth, annual events are staged by Black Knight International in Abu Dhabi, Japan, USA, China and South Africa.

Gary Player is a nine-time Major Champion and is regarded as one of the best golfers in the sports history. Over his career he has accumulated a total of nine major championships on the regular tour and 6 Champions tour victories, alongside three Senior British Open Championship victories on the European Senior Tour.

Player is also known for his golf course architectural work, designing more than 325 different projects across five continents. He has also authored or co written 36 golfing books.

He currently runs organisation ‘The Player Foundation’ with the primary objective of giving sporting opportunities to under privileged children around the world. The organisation began in Johannesburg, South Africa, before spreading worldwide. They have raised over $60 million, and have ran events in major cities such as London, Palm Beach, Shanghai and Cape Town.