By Jae-Ha Kim
Tribune Media Services
May 21, 2013
Before he turned 30, golf legend Gary Player became the third person to win the Grand Slam. In 1974, after winning 165 tournaments, Player was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Player and his wife, Vivienne, live on a stud farm outside of Colesberg, South Africa. They also spend time at their home on Florida’s Jupiter Island. Read more about Player, 77, on his website.
Q. Where are your favorite golf courses?
A. I have had the good fortune to play on the best courses in the world. Some of my all-time favorites are Augusta National (in Georgia), St. Andrews (Scotland), Cypress Point (California) and South Africa’s Blair Atholl and the Links at Fancourt (both by Gary Player Design). They are all fantastic, beautiful courses. Another favorite (that I designed) is Leopard Creek Country Club, which is also a great course. The surroundings are unparalleled by any other golf course in the world. Leopard Creek borders the Kruger National Park where you can walk out to the veranda and see acres of space with wild animals and not a light, or a person, to be seen. I designed the course in such a way that you can often see crocodile, hippo, antelope, buffalo and wild boar, either on the course itself or in or next to the river running alongside several holes.
Q. What is your favorite vacation destination?
A. Our family owns a beach house in Plettenburg Bay where we spend each Christmas and New Year’s with the whole family. Plettenburg Bay has great surfing, some of the best walking trails, wonderful marine life, including whales and dolphins, zero pollution and friendly people. Plett is a place where you just enjoy nature and all its beauty. It is a fantastic place for a holiday, but many people do not realize that this kind of countryside exists.
Q. What untapped destination should people know about?
A. While it might not be untapped, Morocco has really become a wonderful place to visit. The country is doing fantastic things for tourism, and golf tourism is really taking off. We have designed two great courses in Morocco — Mazagan Beach Resort and Mogador — that are truly a pleasure to visit. The city of Marrakesh is not to be missed. I always enjoy the adventure of visiting the city’s souks. Overall, I think that places throughout Africa are overlooked. Another wonderful destination is the Okavango Delta in Botswana, the world’s largest delta. There the wildlife is like a huge melting pot with lions, elephants, water buffalo, hippos and crocodiles all living quite close together.
Q. What was your first major trip?
A. I remember my first overseas trip was to Cairo, Egypt, in 1953, shortly after I turned professional to play in the Egyptian Open. That trip was my first real taste of a high-level competition. Egypt is spectacular and I have enjoyed returning ever since.
Q. What’s the most important thing you’ve learned from your travels?
A. Traveling is an education in itself. There are so many amazing people that I have met in my 15 million miles and 60 years of traveling. Each different place and every different person that you speak with teaches you something new. Other than the education, I have perfected the art of preventing jet lag. That is certainly something that has become necessary over the years.
Q. Where are your favorite weekend getaways?
A. I am traveling 12 months out of the year, so often my favorite weekend getaways are simply relaxing on our stud farm or visiting with our 22 grandchildren. I do love to visit Scotland for a bit of golf and relaxation as well.
Q. What are your five favorite cities?
A. That is tough, because there are so many truly fantastic cities around the world. But, I have always loved Singapore, Shanghai, London, Cape Town and San Diego.
Q. Where have you traveled to that most reminded you of home?
A. San Diego and Southern California. I designed a course there called Steele Canyon and was amazed by the similarities to South Africa. The climate, landscape and even the food reminded me of home.
Q. Where would you like to go that you have never been to before?
A. I have always wanted to visit and have an audience with the Dali Lama in Tibet. I have been so impressed by the way he preaches peace and love — two things that the world needs more of. It would be quite the experience to put on their traditional robes and do a bit of chanting and meditation while there too.
Q. When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?
A. I am rarely without my golf clubs, but tend to pack lightly otherwise. Besides my club, must-have items would be Rooibos herbal tea, a small jar on Manuka Honey and a couple sets of black outfits, with one to workout in as well.
Q. What would be your dream trip?
A. It is no secret that my love affair of breeding thoroughbred racehorses rivals golf. I have always toyed with the idea of taking a year to visit all the great horse races around the world with my horsey friends. From wearing tails and a top hat to the Royal Ascot, to the other great races around the world, including the Breeders Cup, Prix de l’arc de Triomphe, Dubai World Cup, the Triple Crown and the Melbourne Cup. … That would be a dream, but I can hardly find a weekend free, let alone an entire year.
Q. What is your guilty pleasure when you’re on the road?
A. When I am traveling, I do not indulge much. I do have a bit of a sweet tooth for Toblerone, though.
Q. What kind of research do you do before you go away on a trip?
A. I love to be able to immerse myself in the culture of each new place that I visit. I am a bit of a history buff and I try to learn as much as possible from each new destination. In addition to focusing on the culture, I will always research local gyms or other exciting ways to get exercise. When traveling or on vacation with the family, I still try to stay active and in my workout routine as much as possible.
Q. What is your best and/or worst vacation memory?
A. My best vacation memories are when the entire Player family gets together at Plettenburg Bay over Christmas and New Year’s. When I say the entire Player family that means my six children, 22 grandchildren, their grandparents and family friends. It usually ends up around 40 people. Every time we all get together is so special and cherished. Plett is beautiful so we will walk on the beach, have picnics out under the great oak trees and just enjoy each other’s company. That is a holiday that you cannot beat.
© 2013 JAE-HA KIM
DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
He’s a class act. Thank you for covering him.
Thanks for doing this story on Mr. Gary Player. I’ve followed his career for almost as long as I’ve been alive. He could give the kids on the circuit a lesson or two on good sportsmanship and what it means to be a champion.
I enjoyed your article on Gary Player and Plettenberg Bay. Gary’s home in Plett, as it is known, is on the Goose Valley Golf Course in Plett, which is a Gary Player Signature Design. Plettenberg Bay is the ideal vacation destination to explore the Garden Route of South Africa with its fabulous Golf courses, wild life, beaches,indigenous forests and floral kingdom. The immediate area has 8500 plant species of which 5600 are indigenous to South Africa. Accommodation bookings can be made via our website http://www.goosevalleygolfestate.co.za