Struggle is a blessing: Player
Published: Tue 6 Oct 2015, 9:13 PM
Gary Player knows a thing or two about struggles. His early years were a struggle before he went on to blitz golf courses around the world.
In what later became a glittering career, the South African racked up an astonishing nine Majors including a Career Grand Slam, winning all four Majors, to etch his name in the pantheons of golfing greats.
The golf legend, who tussled with the likes of Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus during that era, is probably one of the richest sportsmen in the world, but he has never forgotten his roots. He is now giving back to society and helping people through his charity called The Player Foundation.
Now 80, he still looks fitter, sharper and dashing as ever. And he went down memory lane on the sidelines of the announcement of the Gary Player Invitational in Abu Dhabi.
"I was very poor. My mother died when I was eight and my father used to work in a gold mine. My brother went to war at 17 and my sister was at boarding school. I went to school early morning and when I use to comeback there would be nobody at home. I had to cook, do everything and really it was a struggle. That's why I became a little champion as I loved challenges," said Player.
And Player recalled another instance of a struggle during the 1961 Augusta Masters. He returned with a eight-under and went to beat Palmer and Charles Coe, by a stroke.
"I played in America when I won my first Masters. There were 20,000 people cheering for Arnold Palmer and there were only two people rooting for me, my wife and my dog. I knew what it was to suffer, so I said 'I love this' and I beat him," he said.
"I would say when you struggle in life, it is a blessing. The Holy Quran says it, the Bible says it. You must learn to suffer as adversity is the greatest gift you can get because from adversity comes strength. We want to get this message across to young people around the world," said Palmer.
And now through The Player Foundation and the Gary Player Invitational events, he is helping in changing people's lives. And Player was pleased to bring the Invitational to Abu Dhabi. "We will bring in celebrities, pros and ladies pros. We have raised 60 million dollars around the world in China, America and London. I told the world that you got to visit Abu Dhabi. It's got safety, climate, beaches, golf courses. They also have got the beautiful Mosque," said Player, who is nicknamed 'The Black Knight.
james@khaleejtimes.com
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