Star-Studded Field Joins Gary Player And Ronan Keating For 2005 Gary Player Invitational Presented By Coca-Cola
This year would appear to have broken record ground in terms of charity funds; initial estimates are that over four hundred thousand dollars was raised at the event. This money will be shared between the event’s three beneficiaries – The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, The Player Foundation and Marie Keating Foundation.
Proof that the event goes from strength to strength, the 2005 event was supported by leading golfers including Tim Clark, Lee Westwood, Paul Casey, Andrew Coltart and Alastair Forsyth, as well as other celebrities such as Alan Hansen, Gary Lineker, David Ginola, Kenny Dalglish, Sir Bobby Charlton, Matt Dawson, Michael Stich and Jodie Kidd.
The business community similarly continues in their support, led by Coca-Cola, companies such as Davenport Lyons, Boschendal, Pringle, Callaway, Tag Heuer, Dell Computers, Coutts Private Banking and PWC pledge generous amounts to participate in this unique event.
For pictures or more information about this year’s event, or to discuss the 2006 event, please contact:
David Collins – Event Director, c/o Octagon Marketing
+44 (0)207 862 0031
david.collins@octagon.com
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
The Gary Player Invitational is one event in a global series presented by Coca-Cola, benefiting The Player Foundation, Marie Keating Foundation and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund. The series culminates at the annual Nelson Mandela Invitational, South Africa’s premier charity golf event held at the exclusive Arabella Estate near Cape Town.
The event provides an opportunity for business people to experience a professional standard of golf event, while interacting with stars of sport, media and entertainment. Teams are made up of three amateur golfers, joined by either a professional golfer or celebrity. The teams compete in a team alliance format competition. Surrounding the golf is a Champagne Welcome Reception the night before to relax everyone before the competition that lies ahead, and an official Auction Dinner to close off proceedings, during which time select memorabilia and collectables will be auctioned off to the highest bidders.
Gary Player Foundation
The Player Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 organization set up in the USA. Over 20 years ago, grand slam golfer Gary Player established the Blair Atholl Schools near his home outside Johannesburg, South Africa in order to provide quality education, nutrition, medical care and extra-curricular activities to the less fortunate children living in the rural areas on the outskirts of the city. Using Blair Atholl as a model, it has been the goal of The Player Foundation to partner with other schools around the globe; and as of this year, the organization is proud to announce the adoption of Pleasant City Elementary School in Palm Beach, Florida. Through four celebrity / pro-am charity golf events hosted by Gary Player and played some of the finest golf courses in the world, the foundation raises funds to enhance educational programs and provide day-to-day necessities for impoverished children globally. Other means of fundraising include licensing, merchandising, private donations and grants. http://www.garyplayerfoundation.org/
Marie Keating Foundation
The Marie Keating Foundation has been established primarily to provide Breast Cancer Information and Awareness free of charge to the general public throughout the Republic of Ireland through three Mobile Cancer Information Units based in the Eastern, Western and Southern regions of Ireland. The three Mobile Cancer Information Units have been in operation since May 2001, and to date have visited over 1,515 towns, villages and corporate sites in Ireland increasing breast cancer awareness by providing information to over 41,385 people. In March 2005, a Men’s Keeping Fit Campaign was launched to promote awareness of Prostate and Testicular Cancers. The Mobile Units also carry information on other cancers including Bowel, Cervical, Lung, Ovarian and Skin. The Marie Keating Foundation funds Bursaries in Oncology and refurbishes Irish Hospital Oncology waiting rooms.
http://www.mariekeating.com/
The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund
One of Nelson Mandela’s first acts on becoming President of the newly democratic South Africa in 1994 was to found the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund. He recognised and stated clearly, that the children of South Africa were its “greatest treasure” but also the most vulnerable in society. President Mandela pledged one third of his salary for the improvement of the quality of life of South Africa’s deprived children.
In just 10 years, The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund has firmly established itself as one of the leading developmental agencies in South Africa with a wide-ranging programme of work in all 9 provinces of the country. The Fund places emphasis on creative, innovative and participatory initiatives that have the potential to change the ways in which society responds to children and youth.
http://www.nelsonmandelachildrensfund.com/