Gary Player Honored at Ouimet Banquet
In an electric moment that stunned the audience, Mr. Player opened his talk by speaking to the creation of the Harry and Muriel Player Scholarship, saying he wished to announce a gift of $100,000 from the Gary Player Foundation to the endowment created in his parents’ names. “Gary Player is truly an inspiration. He traveled back and forth from South Africa – 21,000 miles – to speak at our banquet. The Gary Player Foundation gift of $100,000 to the Harry and Muriel Player Foundation is one of the largest we’ve ever had,” said Ouimet President Ted Highberger.
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Mr. Player’s announcement followed one by Ouimet President Ted Highberger that The Fund would increase its annual scholarships in 2008-2009 to $1.5 Million, a 15% increase ($200,000) from last year.
Gary Player, long considered Golf’s Greatest International Player was the guest speaker and honored with the 13th Francis Ouimet Award for Lifelong Contributions to Golf at the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund’s 59th Annual Banquet. The banquet was held Monday, May 19, 2008 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. An audience of 1,450 attended. Morgan Stanley was presenting sponsor.
“We are honored that Gary Player accepted our invitation. He is truly one of the legends of the game. Mr. Player has always represented the highest ideals of class and sportsmanship. He is a perfect match for our Lifelong Contributions Award in that, like Mr. Ouimet, he has been a fantastic goodwill ambassador for the game and that he is so dedicated to charities, especially children’s education,” said Ted Highberger, Ouimet Fund President. Mr. Highberger went on to explain that Mr. Player’s appearance is quite historic, as it completes The Fund’s honoring of the famed “Big Three.” Prior “Big Three” honorees were Arnold Palmer in 1997 and Jack Nicklaus along with his wife, Barbara, last year.
Gary Player has won 163 tournaments around the world. He won nine major championships, and was the third to win the career grand slam after Gene Sarazen and Ben Hogan. He also won nine majors on the Champions Tour and is the only player to win the career grand slam on both tours. A South African who also lives in the US, he has been called, “The World’s Most Traveled Athlete,” having logged over 14 million miles. He is known as the “Black Knight,” for often playing in all black outfits, and for his tremendous physical conditioning. He credits fitness as a key reason for his longevity, winning tournaments in 27 consecutive years – the all-time record.
Mr. Player is a long-time member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, a featured spokesperson for the institution, and has been honored with a special display there. He has a variety of business and interests. He has designed over 250 golf courses around the world, raises champion horses, and is extremely dedicated to charitable pursuits, especially educating underprivileged children. His foundation built a school in South Africa that has educational facilities for 500 children from kindergarten through grade eight.
Mr. Player’s 32 minute talk was believed by many to be the finest by any recipient of the Francis Ouimet Award for Lifelong Contributions to Golf. It featured humor (good natured ribbing of sponsor Dick Connolly), his thoughts on the game today, travel, family, values, charity, fitness and health, education, and his love of America.
The Honorable Thomas M. Menino, Mayor of Boston, was Honorary Chairperson for the event. The event was again one of the largest golf dinners ever held in New England.
Anne Marie Tobin received the Richard F. Connolly, Jr. Distinguished Service Award. Ms. Tobin has been a premier golfer in Massachusetts and is a former President of both the Women’s Golf Association of Massachusetts and the Ouimet Fund.
The Fund also re-presented Harry McCracken of Charles River the 2007 USGA Joseph Dey Award. The Award had been presented at the USGA’s Annual Meeting in San Francisco. It recognizes volunteer contributions to golf. The “re-presentation” allowed the local golf community to acknowledge Mr. McCracken’s efforts.
Click for Video of Banquet Highlights
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| Dan Roche, Sports Anchor of WBZ-TV was the Master of Ceremonies. |
Previous Honorees:
2007 Barbara and Jack Nicklaus
2006 Peter Jacobsen
2005 Greg Norman
2004 Nancy Lopez
2003 Chi Chi Rodriguez
2002 Former President George H.W. Bush
2001 Ken Venturi & Eddie Lowery
2000 Curtis Strange
1999 Ben Crenshaw
1998 Gene Sarazen
1997 Arnold Palmer
Click here for last year’s banquet highlights