London, England: The 2014 Berenberg Gary Player Invitational concluded another successful event which saw some of the biggest names in golf, entertainment and business join together with golf icon and Grand Slam champion Gary Player to help raise money for under-privileged children.
The charitable funds, exceeding US$100,000, were quickly raised by the auctioneer on only four bespoke items as professional golfers and participants alike joined in the fun and giving during the gala auction at London’s Wentworth Club.
Following the evening’s gala, Player together with The Player Foundation and presenting sponsor Berenberg, were able to donate the sizable contribution to this year’s event beneficiary, Depaul UK, in order to aid young people who are homeless, vulnerable and disadvantaged.
“I continue to be astounded and humbled by the funds we are able to raise for children’s charities,” said tournament host Player. “Our global series of events is fast approaching US$60 million raised for charity worldwide, but together with Berenberg we have certainly raised the bar in what we are able to accomplish.”
The second leg of the global series was won by the team of Australian professional Marc Leishman and Scotland’s Kelsey MacDonald, along with businessmen Nicklas Backstrom and Stephen Irvine.
The star-studded field included professional golfers Martin Kaymer, Rickie Fowler, Branden Grace, Lee Westwood, Colin Montgomerie, Jason Day, Fred Couples, Jason Dufner, David Howell, Bernd Wiesberger, Darren Clarke, Louis Oosthuizen and Ian Woosnam.
Participating female professionals included Suzann Pettersen, Charley Hull, Carly Booth, Melissa Reid, Henni Zuel, Amy Boulden, Whitney Hillier, Diana Luna and Maria Balikoeva. Additionally, celebrities involved were Ronan Keating, Dougray Scott, Heikki Kovalainen, Jonathan Joseph, Zoe Hardman and Mike Tindall.
“We are proud to call Gary Player our Brand Ambassador, as he is truly a great ambassador for the game of golf,” said Dr Hans-Walter Peters, Managing Partner of Berenberg. “This must be measured not just in terms of his career achievements as a Grand Slam champion, but also in driving such outstanding philanthropic initiatives as the Gary Player Invitational series. The event’s great virtues and its ability to give so much back to charity is one of the many reasons we have chosen this sponsorship as an important business platform for years to come.”
Marc Player, Black Knight International CEO, said:“This was yet another banner event in our Gary Player Invitational series. We are extremely grateful to those who have supported our events over the years. The all-star cast of golf professionals and celebrities as well as the prominent businessmen contributed significantly to the success of the event to truly celebrate a union of golf and giving.”
The Berenberg Gary Player Invitational is part of the Gary Player Invitational charity series, which has raised in excess of US$50 million for charities worldwide. The next stop for the Gary Player Invitational will take the Grand Slam champion to Shanghai on November 3-4 before the series concludes in South Africa on November 20-23.