Inspired field makes for strong start to Gary and Vivienne Player Invitational

A weekend united in giving back was the perfect inspiration for this field of Sunshine Tour professionals, sports stars, celebrities and business leaders on what was one of the most competitive opening rounds in the history of the Gary and Vivienne Player Invitational at the Lost City Golf Club on Saturday.

A magnificent day at Sun City also helped to bring out the best in the golfers for this 36-hole tournament, which annually raises funds for the Gary and Vivienne Player Foundation and its work supporting the Blair Atholl Pre-Primary School.

As competitive as the golf was on day one, it was the message of competing for a good cause that most resonated with the field.

“We all have different platforms to leave a legacy that is worth celebrating, like education for young children. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else than right here supporting this,” said former Miss South Africa and Miss World, Rolene Strauss.

Sunshine Tour professional James Mack and his team of rugby star Kade Wolhuter, and the business duo of Rainier van der Nest and Linda van der Nest combined superbly for their 92 points to lead the field.

“We just knew from the start that this was going to be a fun group. It’s for such a great cause though as well. But I must admit, to be in with a chance to have our team name on the baobab trophy is pretty special,” said Mack, who together with fellow professional Tomas Gana shared the individual low round of the day with a five-under-par 67.

It will take another impressive performance from them on Sunday to achieve this, with only one point separating them from their nearest challengers.

That includes professional golfer Graham van der Merwe, former Bafana Bafana star Bongani Khumalo, businessman Mark Rowles and Sunshine Tour Commissioner Thomas Abt.

Khumalo in particular has enjoyed another opportunity to spend time with Gary Player this weekend, who he says was an inspiration for him in his football career.

“What has always resonated with me is Gary Player saying the harder you practice the luckier you get. I was a defender in my football career, so I had to rely on a lot of luck. You put a foot in there, there’s a deflection, it hits the post and misses, and you think that was lucky. But it took the training to be there for that moment,” he said.

PLENTY TO PLAY FOR

Also in second place on 91 points is the team of professional Tomas Gana, former Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs legend Jimmy Tau, and businessmen David Ryan and Kalpesh Morar.

But with only two points separating the top five teams, there is still plenty to play for in Sunday’s final round.

Strauss, whose team includes professional Samuel Simpson, and business leaders Reon Barnard and Ladina King, is currently fifth on 90 points, and is certainly looking forward to it on a weekend she says has deep meaning for her personally.

“I’ve been on quite a few stages, and there’s nothing that gets my heart rate up more than pressure on the golf course. I’ve learnt so much from Gary Player. It’s my third time here and he is such an inspiration in so many different areas of life. He loves his family, and it’s beautiful for us to be able to bring our boys here and be celebrated for that. His health is incredible, and he’s turning 91 soon. And then he is leaving such a special legacy using his platform in sport.”