Tokyo, Japan: The Gary Player Invitational concluded the second leg of its global series in Japan with after a charity auction which raised more than US$125,000 for Support Our Kids to benefit the children of the tsunami disaster in Tohoku.
During his time in Tokyo, tournament host Gary Player attended charity concerts, golf events and a gala dinner and auction continuing his philanthropic efforts around the world.
The week also saw international entertainers and sports figures join the Union of Golf and Giving, including famed Irish singer Enya and Japanese baseball star Tatsunori Hara.
Musashigoka Golf Club played host to the Celebrity Golf Day where top businessmen played alongside the Black Knight.
The following day, Kasumigaseki Country Club, venue for the golf tournament at the 2020 Olympic Games, staged a Children’s Clinic and Kids Golf Competition.
“My time in Tokyo has been filled with absolute joy,” said Player. “I first came to Japan in 1957 hoping to grow golf on an international level. To now have an annual Gary Player Invitational event here is very special. Japan is a wonderful country and we cannot wait to be back next year to continue to raise money for the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami disaster.”
The Player Foundation, established by Marc Player, selected Support Our Kids as the beneficiary of the event to aid the suffering children of Tohoku. The event also helped promote the restoration of North Eastern Japan, which in 2016, commemorated the fifth year since the disaster.
With the co-operation of 11 embassies of countries around the world including the USA, UK, Ireland, Australia, Canada, Republic of San Marino, New Zealand, France, Switzerland, Belgium, Poland and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Support Our Kids project assists children who are still living under stressful circumstances in the aftermath of the disaster.
They believe children will play a significant role in the reconstruction of Tohoku and aim to nurture these children into becoming full reconstruction leaders through experiences overseas.
The Gary Player Invitational in Japan, presented by Mazda, forms part of a charity golf series which has raised more than US$62 million for charities worldwide. The Player Foundation, aims to donate US$100 million to the support of children’s charities, the betterment of impoverished communities and the expansion of educational opportunities throughout the world.