Gary Player - The Legend

Tim Clarks Helps Bring True Meaning to the Nelson Mandela Invitational

May 24, 2006 | Filed Under: The Player Foundation

The true intention of the Nelson Mandela Invitational presented by Coca-Cola and hosted by Gary Player was realised as 2006 Masters Runner-Up, Tim Clark, paid a visit to Chevonne Adams - a little girl who benefited from a cochlear implant as a result of Clark’s victory at the 2005 NMI. Clark visited the young girl on Wednesday, May 24th at the Carel du Toit Centre for the Hearing Impaired in Cape Town, South Africa.

Clark met Chevonne while in South Africa for the NMI last year and was so touched by her story that he pledged to donate his winner’s check of R80,000 towards an operation that would change her life forever. Presenting sponsor of the tournament, Coca-Cola, undertook to contribute the shortfall amount of R40,000 that would make the operation possible.

As a result of Tim shooting 64 to lead him and Vincent Tshabalala to victory on 17-under at the 36-hole event, young Chevonne underwent surgery earlier this year.

Gary Player commented, “Whilst we all know that the core reason this event is staged is to make a difference in children’s lives, it is most gratifying to see a professional golfer like Tim Clark give back his prize money to charity. Tim really ‘gets it’ and, undoubtedly, his generosity has made a real difference in Chevonne’s life by enabling her to undergo this vital operation.”

The Nelson Mandela Invitational is now in its seventh year, and has raised more than R15 million for its beneficiary charities - the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and the Gary Player Foundation - making it South Africa’s premier golf charity event. This year’s event takes place November 24th - 26th at Arabella Country Estate outside Cape Town.

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