Nine Holes With Gary Player

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There is no question in my mind that Gary Player is one of the greatest golfers in the history of the game. The South African native turned pro in 1953 and out of relative obscurity started winning. And for many, many years he never stopped.

 

 

With virtually an unassailable international victory total Player is a remarkable competitor, international figure, and ambassador of the greatest game.

 

 

Hole One

Player is well known for winning the 1978 Masters by coming from seven strokes behind in the final round. He made birdies on seven of the last ten holes for a round of 64. He was the first non-American to win the Masters.

 

 

Hole Two

In 1995 Gary became the oldest player to make the cut at the British Open at 59. He turned 60 on November 1st. He became the oldest player to make the cut at the Masters in 1998 at age 62. Wow.

 

 

Hole Three

Has travelled over 14 million miles during his career making him probably the most travelled person ever.

 

 

Hole Four

Player won the British Open in three different decades, the only player to have done so in the 20th century.

 

 

Hole Five

From the 1950s to the early 1970s, Player was known - along with Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer - as the one of the Big Three.

 

 

Hole Six

Player has an incredible 18 tournament holes in one.

 

 

Hole Seven

Has victories in an unprecedented 27 consecutive years of play. Next in line are at 17 (Bernhard Langer, Seve Ballesteros, Jack Nicklaus, and Arnold Palmer).

 

 

Hole Eight

It's a wonder golfers don't seek to emulate Player more often. He won over 160 professional golf tournaments worldwide including 24 PGA Tour wins.

 

 

Hole Nine

Player won a remarkable nine major championships and is one of five players (along with Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods) with a career grand slam. He completed it by age 29. He is fifth in major championship wins behind Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Walter Hagen, and Ben Hogan.

 

 

Photo Credit: © Unknown.

[HarboursideTC]

Great post! Thank you for putting one of Golf's greatest legends in perspective - a great player and a true gentleman.

[samm980]

I get a kick out of Gary Player because the eggs he had for breakfast are, "The finest eggs I have ever laid my eyes upon."

"My clubs are the greatest clubs I have ever seen!"

"Fargo is the finest city in the world."

 

Gary has a tendency to give a lot of credit towards things.

[tobybear]

in my opinion i think gary player is the greatest golfer ever.... now im not talking victories or majors even though he does have the career grandslam. the reason for this is longevity and making the most from so little. hes what 5' 6".. he had so many firsts in the game of golf and i cant wait to see him at the presidents cup. just to say that i shook his hand will be very rewardng.

[dac]

I get a kick out of Gary Player because the eggs he had for breakfast are, "The finest eggs I have ever laid my eyes upon."

"My clubs are the greatest clubs I have ever seen!"

"Fargo is the finest city in the world."

 

Gary has a tendency to give a lot of credit towards things.

 

i've noticed that, too! :) he seems to be a very thankful person and is in love with life in general. i think he's a great person!

[HCEG1]

Gary Player is definitely one of the greatest golfers ever to have played the game and one of the nicest human beings around. I've just had the pleasure of being in his company for 36 holes and can honestly say I learned more about golf and life than I have in 20 years! He is in love with golf, his extended family and life in general. The fact that he shot (-6) 66 on the Dirleton course at Archerfield Links yesterday (with 7 birdies) just completely blew me away. It was even more unbelievable as he was chatting away non-stop recalling priceless moments and demonstrating crunch sit-ups and leg squats. The guy is 72 years old and is just a living legend deserving of the highest praise imaginable.

[retep]

I always liked Player and then two things happened and i Love the guy now, but his courses are too hard for me...

 

1. he showed up at a club somewhere in jupiter to the range and gave a buddy of mine a free lesson for no reason.

2. the special during the Masters? what he did to quell the protests against him by the black panthers in the 1970's by inviting them to his hotel room and serving them tea and explaining apartheid, his situation, etc. to them was brilliant, and they stopped threatening him and protesting when he played.

 

Player is a class act and i like him.

[onkelbenz]

I've found a funny quote I'd like to share.

 

<< In recent years, my caddy got the nickname "Fairway Bob" because every time I played, I'd hit the drive and ask: "Fairway, Bob?" In other words, I was asking him if the ball was in the fairway because I couldn't see whether it was. Other caddies eventually started calling my caddy "Fairway Bob". >>

 

:clapping:

 

For the context, it was given by Gary Player after his eye surgery (which he did one week before his favorite tournament, the Masters).

OB