The Man In Black (Gary Player)

Member Name: kenjohn

Product:	Gary Player
Date:	12/04/01 (224 review reads)
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~ ~ This diminutive South African golfer was born in Johannesburg in 1935.
Standing at only 5 foot seven inches in his bare feet, he was an unlikely candidate to go on to achieve greatness in the world of golf, where the ability to hit the ball a long way is at a premium, especially on the Pro Circuit.
But from a very young age Player embarked on a daily exercise regime that allowed him to make the very most of his small stature, and which he continues to follow to this day, even at nearly 66 years-of-age. His amazing fitness, without any shadow of a doubt, substantially prolonged his playing career at the top level.

~ ~ He also faced a logistics problem that is not the case today, as international air travel in the 50’s and 60’s was not the smooth operation (mostly) that it is now, and he faced daunting journeys to compete in many of the important tournaments, that would have put off many a lesser character.

~ ~ An important facet of his character is his well-known adherence to the Christian faith, which he states has helped and sustained him through many trials and tribulations.
A sports journalist once asked him if he prayed to God to allow him to win tournaments.
Player replied, “I pray that He will let me play to the best of my ability. If I can do that, then I know that I’ll win!!”

~ ~ That there were many wins and “glory” years in the playing career of this great South African there is no doubt.
Player was in his prime at the same time as Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, the two US golfing legends, and throughout his career had many formidable battles with both, on many occasions emerging victorious.
In the 1950’s and 1960’s, these three golfers were hailed as the “Big Three”, and practically dominated world golf in this period.

~ ~ Player won no fewer than nine Major titles in his distinguished career, the first being the British Open
at Muirfield, Scotland in 1959, and the last being the US Masters at Augusta, Georgia in 1978, at nearly 43 years old, at that time the oldest golfer to ever win the title. (This was later beaten by Nicklaus, who won the Masters in 1986, at 46 years of age!)
In total he won the British Open three times, the US Masters three times, the USPGA title twice, and the US Open once.

~ ~ He was the first foreign-born golfer to really take on the mighty Americans on their home turf, and to emerge victorious.
In total he notched up 21 wins on the US Tour, and won many other titles all over the world, where he was a roving ambassador for South Africa, who at that time were still outcasts in the sporting world because of their policy of apartheid.
In fact, Player actually competed in many tournaments despite very serious death threats being made against him, and on one famous (or infamous) occasion, played the last two rounds of the US Masters at Augusta under armed guard from the police, who accompanied him round the golf course.
He was also one of the first of the modern pro golfers to realise the serious potential of outside advertising contracts and endorsements, and built his image on the golf course by always wearing black clothing. So much so that he became known as the “man in black”, and even painted the head of his putter black to fit the rest of his image.

~ ~ One of his most famous victories came in the World Matchplay Championship at Wentworth, England in 1965, when he came back from being seven down with only seventeen holes remaining, to beat the great Tony Lema on the last green. Asked what had inspired his victory, he said he had overheard two spectators writing off his chances of victory, and that this had infuriated him and spurred him into action.
He was also the first golfer ever to break 60 in an official Tour event, when he carded a 59 in the Brazilian Open of 1974.

~ ~ Since retiring from the
main tour, Player has gone on to carve out a very lucrative second career on the US Seniors Tour, where he went on to win the Senior’s equivalent of the four Majors, the only golfer ever to have achieved this.
I have watched him play at Royal Portrush, Northern Ireland in recent years in the Senior’s British Open, and he is still a marvellous golfer despite his advancing years, his fitness levels shaming many players half his age.
To still be capable of shooting sub-par rounds at well over 60 years old is a wonderful achievement, and one of which he can quite rightly be proud.

~ ~ He has always been known as a very outspoken personality, and had a well reported altercation with the legendary Tom Watson a few years back.
Playing together in a televised “skins” match for American television, Watson all but accused Player of cheating, by moving blades of grass that were growing from behind his ball, thus improving his lie.
Player maintained that the grass was not growing but were loose impediments, which he was entitled to remove.
The ensuing argument lasted for months, with Player at one time calling for Watson to forfeit many of his Major title wins, as he had played with illegal clubs. (This was in reference to the recall of Ping Eye 2 irons for “regrooving”, after their original grooves had been deemed illegal by the USPGA)

~ ~ One of his most famous quotes came after his only win in the US Open in 1965.
A member of the media had the temerity to suggest that he had “got lucky” during one of rounds.
Player replied, “You know, it’s quite amazing. The more I practice, the luckier I get.”
This type of attitude sums up Gary Player very well. The little fella who just doesn’t know how to admit defeat, and who will try his heart out right until the last putt has dropped.

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