In the pantheon of golf’s greatest players is Gary Player. The South African turns 90 on November 1 and his career in the sport is nothing short of remarkable given his humble beginnings.
The sum total of Player’s achievements in the competitive arena is truly amazing. Winner of nine major championships — only four have won more (Walter Hagen, Bob Jones, Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus. Player has also won no less than 160 professional golf events – a staggering total.
He is a member of the most exclusive club — career Grand Slam winners. Only six have done so with Rory McIlroy becoming the most recent member after winning this past April’s Masters. Speaking of Augusta — Player was the first foreign born golfers to secure the green jacket.
In an age in which size and strength are now common scenes in professional golf it was Player who realized the critical necessity in elevating his physical fitness prowess given his limited size — 5 feet 6 inches and 150 pounds with golf shoes included.
Player’s golf adventure meant the necessity in having to travel abroad. Logging more than 16 million miles in air travel. In all probability flying more miles than any athlete in history.
Most major championships wonJack Nicklaus — 18 |
Gary’s first major triumph came in 1959 at Muirfield in The Open Championship and he is the only golfer in the 20th century to have won the Claret Jug in three different decades.
With the passing of Jack Burke, Jr., Player now becomes the oldest living Masters champion.
His journey meant having to deal with the weight of his home country’s embrace of apartheid — the legally mandated separation of the races. Early on in his professional career Player espoused support of the race separation system. He would later denounce it. Player was often the target of various groups and individuals simply because of his connection to his homeland and his initial embrace of apartheid. In 1972 he invited Lee Elder to tour with him at various tour stops in South Africa.
Player has also faced on-course scrutiny — with claims of violating rules during different competitions. The most glaring came at the Skins Game in 1983. One of the members of the foursome – Tom Watson — accused Player of removing a root leaf embedded into the ground and located behind Player’s ball. Player says he moved the leaf correctly without a issue. Watson held firm to his position as did Player. The passage of time has faded that matter but the accusation has lingered with neither the position by Watson nor the refutation by Player being accepted 100%.
Player has also seen fit to elevate himself most recently when discussions have ensued on where he believes he stands among those who have ever played golf. In a recent article Player opined he believes he is the third best golfer ever behind Jack Nicklaus in the top slot and Tiger Woods as runner-up.
“Jack is number one, Tiger number two, and I’m number three,” Player told the Palm Beach Post. “There’s not even a question.”
Player’s self-promotion has been off-putting to some but his stature as a world class golfer is clearly stated in the records book. Often times sports figures are reluctant to state their case in unequivocal terms for fear of backlash but for Player he feels no compunction to back away from his beliefs.
During his long career — Player has vigorously demonstrated a sustained work ethic — hitting more practice balls than likely any other golfer ever has and demonstrating his physical prowess in keeping his body in quality shape throughout the aging process.
Touting one’s opinion can carry risk with those who prefer a more self-effacing style. Nonetheless, Player has never shied away from a broad range of serious topics impacting world-wide golf.
The journey Player has been on — having turned professional at age 17 — continues onward. Gary hopes to celebrate his centennial birthday in ten years’ time. Those who take issue with his brazenness and self-promotion need to realize that it is these very traits that fueled his rise in world professional golf.
Think back to golf’s “Big Three” in the 1960s and he was often viewed as the outsider – the “foreigner” raining on the parade led by two Americans — Arnold Palmer and Nicklaus. Player has often had to endure the backseat. While Palmer and Nicklaus were made honorary members at Augusta National, that same honor has not been extended to him.
Inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974, Player has expanded his reach via his Black Knight marking effort. He’s designed more than 400 courses on five continents throughout the world. He’s also authored or co-written 36 books on golf instruction, design philosophy, motivation and fitness.
On January 7, 2021, Player was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by United States President Donald Trump. The presentation of that award followed the January 6 insurrection of the US Capitol and Player was pushed not to accept the award given the tumultuous situation that Trump himself prompted supporters to carry out. Player opted otherwise and presented himself at the White House to receive the honor.
The passage of time is the essential element in truly assessing past achievements. Gary Player reaching 90 years of age is a clear milestone. Sadly, his wife of many years — Vivienne, will not be present to celebrate with him after passing away in August 2021 from cancer.
Gary Player can rightly blow out the candles to his birthday cake. Undoubtedly, the golf trek has seen plenty of upsides and few episodes in which the ride has had its share of bumps and bruises.
Credit Player for his resolute tenacity. A rightful birthday celebration is in order for a man who refused to quit when others saw little chance of success. With a will present there was way to do what others said could not be done.
Take a bow Gary – you most certainly have earned it.
Related: Forever loved — forever missed — forever Arnie
125th US Open / Oakmont CC