Gary Player - The Legend

Waterberg Unveiled as a Player Brothers Collaboration

Sep 2, 2008 | Filed Under: General News

South Africa’s Sportsman of the Century, Gary Player, will design the 18-hole signature golf course at the exclusive Waterberg Estate, while his internationally renowned conservationist brother, Dr. Ian Player will assume responsibility for the wildlife and wilderness strategy, thereby ensuring that Waterberg becomes the community of choice for discerning individuals in pursuit of the lifestyle of the future.

The concept of combining the great game of golf with the untamed wilderness of Africa will be the creation of the two brothers working cohesively to blend golf and game into the wilderness of Africa.

Waterberg provides an opportunity to bring together two impressive individuals who will leave their imprint on the unique African landscape.  The unification of Gary Player and Dr Ian Player’s foresight for this tract of land will leave a lasting legacy and a tribute to the brothers, both of whom have contributed immensely to society through the years.

“Construction of the multi billion rand development comprising in excess of 5,000 hectares is already underway.” says Development Consortium director, Tony Georgiou.  “The project has taken time to put together and there is no doubt that the concept of the world-first Player Brothers collaboration brings an added dimension to Waterberg, a place which is truly special and once visited, leaves a mark on your soul.  The passion for the land of both Gary and Ian Player will further enhance this unique development.”

Gary Player Design has been a global leader in golf course design since the early 80’s.  Through the years the group has executed a portfolio of over 300 award winning projects in 35 countries on five continents.  Gary Player is an ardent nature lover and welcomes the opportunity of collaborating with Ian at Waterberg.

“I’ve always wanted to work closely with my brother Ian on a project were we could both contribute our respective skills and passion and Waterberg offers us our first opportunity to do so,” said an enthusiastic Gary Player.

Dr. Ian Player is arguably Africa’s most renowned conservationist whose many achievements in Africa and abroad will bear testimony to this great man, for generations to come. He has probably done more for environmental conservation in Southern Africa than any other individual, and is an elder statesman of conservation, both nationally and internationally. Ian has been instrumental in educating and influencing generations of conservationists on three continents, providing an outstanding example and role model of service and dedication to a cause on which the future of the human race and indeed, of the planet as a whole, may depend. Ian Player’s name is synonymous with Wilderness in Southern Africa and his creation of the Wilderness Leadership Schools has impacted on the lives of many of the world’s leaders. His active involvement in “Project Rhino” saw the white rhino move from the brink of extinction to a thriving and healthy species today.

Without a doubt, Dr. Player is a true pioneer with a never say die spirit, and the thousands of paddlers that take part in the Duzi canoe marathon each year have Ian to thank, as the founder of the race, which he also won on three occasions. He is a formidable opponent, as an international mining conglomerate has come to learn. Ian and his colleagues took on this giant intent on mining the sensitive coastal dunes and prevailed, in the process preserving the St Lucia wetlands for generations to come by having them declared a World Heritage Site.

Dr. Ian Player had the following to say about the Waterberg and working with his brother Gary:

“The Waterberg is most famous for the work of Eugene Marais who wrote two phenomenal books; Soul of the White Ant and My Friends the Baboons. It is my hope that Gary and I will be able to honour this remarkable South African with the combined game reserve and golf course.

I too look forward to working with my brother who has not only been one of the world’s most phenomenal golfers but also a remarkable human being, with a passion not only for golf but also for the spirit of South Africa. He could have gone anywhere in the world and he would have been welcomed, but he chose to stay in South Africa.

We have chatted about the principle of designing and building a golf course that will use the minimum amount of water, and Gary is fully supportive of this principle. He is currently experimenting in Colesberg, where he is building a course on his farm that uses very little water. As we all know there are not great volumes of water in the Karoo.”

“Waterberg will benefit directly from the passion and personal input of two South Africa’s greatest brothers, whose partnership will redefine the environmental standard for development in Southern Africa”, said Georgiou.

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