Gary and I met at Wentworth together with my wife when we were on our way to the pool and he was on the putting green. He took a shine to our new puppy Shakira and we talked about the song that she had recorded for the South Africa World Cup. He was practicing putting and also having a few promo photographs taken. Absolute Gentleman. Gracious, worldly, well mannered and not in the least patronizing. He let me have a go with his putter at the one he was trying to make; 25 footer, severely downhill, with about 8 feet of right to left break on it. I hit a good one, fortunately and it stopped 2 inches from the cup. He was kind enough to pretend we’d bet what was in his wallet for whomever was closest. That’s the story behind the photograph. A privilege.

I had the distinct pleasure of providing SAP with all of their corporate golf photography for 10 years. During this time I was fortunate enough to work with Mr. Player at least 15 times across the country. I always looked forward to our time together as I always came away a better person from my contact with him. What stood out the most was his attitude towards life and his genuine love of all people, rich or poor! He treated everyone from the shoe shine person to the CEO exactly the same. He always made everyone around him feel very comfortable. He is a true gentlemen and I miss seeing him. I am a better person for knowing him and I wish him continued good health and prosperity. Till we meet again….

I was so very fortunate to meet Gary Player in Banff while I was the Head Golf Professional at the Fairmont Banff Springs. Being in the game of golf has had many rewards, but to meet such an icon was a moment never forgotten and thought of so very often.

While the truest of gentleman to all he touched at the event, it was the purity of the messages that resonated deep within me. He spoke about his love of family, then golf and always in that order. He captivated the staff and guests with the most magnetic of topics and delivery I have ever seen in person. Without doubt he truly deserves every fan vote, award and business success available to come his way for his class, dignity and effortless way with people. My biggest take away was he embodies the quote “Be the type of person you want to meet”! and does so in every way possible. While we can emulate ones best traits there is only one Gary Player and I am so fortunate to have met.

A few years later I was at another course in BC and through a industry photographer “Hux” I was called while they were on a Callaway shoot in California, and Gary himself personally congratulated me for my new post. Again, one of the classiest gestures I have ever experienced.

Years have gone on and I am proud to say I have finally embraced the most significant message being ones own health. While I have fluctuated over the years, I have recently lost 60lbs and while I am not doing abs at the pace of Gary, I am on my 30 day ab challenge, which I say every time…if Gary can, so can I.

Thank you Gary for the most memorable hand shake and conversation I have ever experienced. I am forever blessed to have experienced your kindness and grace.

Miles Mortensen

I had the pleasure of meeting Gary at the Seniors open mid 1980s at Lytham St Anne’s.
He spent a long time chatting he was a very pleasant man and we really enjoyed time spent with him

My name is JUDY Angel, I was born in Durban , South Africa.
I was 17 years old when Mr Player came into my life – After playing golf since the age of 15 I was told I had the potential to become a good player – I met Uncle George Blumberg who was a great friend to all golfers – a wonderful human being. He was a very dear friend of Mr Players and must have said something to Mr Player about me – well one night while having dinner with my family there was a phone call from Mr Player – at first I thought it was a joke – Mr Player spoke to me and invited me to Durban Country Club’s golf range – he was playing in the S A Golf Open – Mr Player spent over an hour with me , helping me with my swing – our next meeting was when I played in the final of the South African Ladies Championship – he and Mrs Player walked with me in the final that I lost. It was THE GREATEST HONOR having him and Mrs Player walk with me.
I turned Professional and left my beloved South Africa to chase my dream – there are no words to describe this wonderful human being .
I since have been battling cancer and there has not been one time that Mr Player hasn’t responded to my request to help with donations to a tournament we hold at my place of work Addison Reserve C C benefiting cancer research . I have idolized him since that day on the range at Durban C C and he has NEVER let me down as a role model.
I can call him Gary but it seems more appropriate for me to give him the respect he deserves by addressing him as Mr Player in this dedication to him.
Many thanks for giving me this opportunity to say THANK YOU TO A FINE GENTLEMAN. CHEERS

I had the pleasure & privilege to play in a Pro Am 4 ball with the legendary Gary Player a few years back. I had not been on a golf course for 2 years as I had broken both my arms in a fall. Not long after we tee’d off Uncle Gary turned to me and asked when last I had played golf, I looked him in the eye and said: ”Uncle Gary this is going to be your longest day on a golf course”. He put his arm around me and replied: ”Well then let’s just have fun”. That epitomises who Gary Player is, a big man with a very big heart. Since then I have had the opportunity to interact with Uncle Gary on a few occasions and am always impressed by his immense capacity for people and his love for life. Uncle Gary’s Life Commandments are a great compass for us all: (1) Change is the price of survival. (2) Everything in business is negotiable, except quality. (3) A promise made is a debt incurred. (4) For all we take in life we must pay. (5) Persistence and common sense are more important than intelligence. (6) The fox fears not the man who boasts by night but the man who rises early in the morning. (7) Accept the advice of the man who loves you, though you like it not at present. (8) Trust instinct to the end, though you cannot render any reason. (9) The heights of great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but that while their companions slept were toiling upward in the night. (10) There is no substitute for personal contact. Uncle Gary happy 80th birthday, you are a man amongst men. Marco Coetzer

Dear Grandpa
Happy 80th Birthday, I hope that your special day can be filled with laughter and joy. May it be a day to reflect on the many years that you have given of yourself through your selfless acts and expeditions in order to help put smiles on peoples faces. You do not only give people the chance to laugh again but every time you step into a room you fill it with passion, love and kindness. If there ever was such thing as perfection you would be it. You are my hero not only because of how you decided to live your life in that you followed your passion and used every opportunity and embraced it. The biggest reason for you being my hero is because of the man that you are today. You are pure gold and you only bring happiness in this world. Your whole life is devoted to your family and loved ones. I have gained and learnt so much from you by your words of wisdom and the way you view life.
I look forward to many more years of learning and growing from your words and actions so thank you from the bottom of my heart for being the perfect grandpa and hero!
Love
Emmanuelle