Meet the legend
Dear Sir Gary Player, Vietnam Golf Magazine has the honor to have the opportunity to talk with you in person. Can you let us know the purpose of your trip to Vietnam?
I am primarily here to meet with our friends at the Vingroup, who have hired my company to do two golf courses. Vietnam is an emerging golf market and will no doubt have a significant impact on the game globally, so I want to take a leadership position and contribute in any way that I can. There is so much potential here. Asia is a golf hungry region. It is becoming more popular everyday on an amateur level, and many countries are producing professional talent. But to really engage Vietnam and Asia as a whole, we must concentrate on building courses for the amateurs and get communities involved. I am here to promote that.
Being a famous golfer with 165 professional winner titles, can you share with Vietnamese golfers your secrets to become such a world leading golfer?
First, God blessed me with some athletic talent. But that’s only a foundation….it’s what you make of it that matters. My fitness level, healthy eating habits, and an unbelievable amount of practice have been the keys to my success. And determination is key. Even at 80-years-old, I do not take any days off. Rest is rust. Early in my career I coined the saying, “The harder you practice, the luckier you get.” This is something I strongly believe in and feel my success is a reflection of all my hard work and determination.
How did you come to golf? What was in your mind when your father gave you the set of golf clubs?
I was very reluctant to go play that first round of golf with my father. Rugby and cricket were the sports that young athletes played in South Africa. To me, golf was a sissy sport. But thankfully I decided to give it a shot. I scored par on my first three holes, and the rest is history as they say. It also didn’t hurt that I met my future wife at the golf course. Vivienne came from a huge golfing family, the Verwey’s, and she may have a little to do with keeping me interested!
Name as the world's most traveled athlete with a big family, can you tell us the advantages and disadvantages/benefits and challenges in life of a golf pro?
Deciding to leave home at age 17 led to my global education, which is something I will never regret. I saw the world and have made so many friends along the way. Providing my family with a good life was very important. Becoming a world champion was my goal, but many sacrifices were made. Honestly, I was not around for my children as much as I wanted to be. That was tough. But I am grateful for my wife, Vivienne, who showed so much love and support and took on the burden of raising six children. And today, we have endless love in our growing family…..we now have 22 grandchildren!
Why most of the famous golfers become golf course designer?
World champion golfers bring something very unique to golf course design….we have been hackers in the beginning and then grown to be the top players in the world. So we can see design from all angles…..this is something a non-golfer designer simply cannot bring to their trade. Becoming a top professional golfer takes and unbelievable amount of hard work and dedication. It is only natural that when our playing careers are over, the void left is translated into a different type of career in golf. It is familiar yet completely different. But we bring the same passion and drive for success into golf course design as we did into becoming world champions.
What are the most relevant aspects of your design?
Playability for all skill levels and environmental sensitivity are the key components in our design philosophy. I believe these cornerstones are why my company has been successful in emerging golf markets like Vietnam. We understand that there will be a large contingent of beginning golfers, and we want them to have fun and keep coming back. As for the environment, it is critical that we set an example for others to follow…..I preach respecting and saving water to my team all the time, for example.
You look so healthy at your age; can you share with our readers your secrets of keeping in shape?
Being healthy is a mindset. One has to make it a daily priority in life and not take the easy way out. Exercise and healthy eating habits will keep a person looking and feeling much younger than they are. You have to train your mind as well as your body. Age is just a number. In my mind, I am closer to 40 than 80. I can still push more than twice my body weight with my legs and run on the treadmill at max speed. And I don’t plan on slowing down any time soon.
What do you think about golf in Vietnam? What is your plan in this country?
The future is bright, and I am excited to be a part of developing golf in Vietnam. It is always a pleasure introducing this great game to those who have not yet had the opportunity to play. We hope to design many courses that will help garner interest on the amateur level as well as bring professional tournaments to this great country. And let’s not forget tourism. Golf tourists are so important because they spend more money than other tourists. Golf in Vietnam will be a huge boost to the economy, with related revenues and also job creation. Leaders like the Vingroup recognize the opportunity.
Gary Player’s lesson
The harder you practice, the luckier you get.
The fitness level, healthy eating habit with lots of fresh fruit, vegetables, almonds and good quality water.
Determination is key.
Family and faith are the most important things in life
Learning golf properly
Quick interview
What is your favorite food?
I am a health nut, so all food with nutritional value is OK by me. Lots of fresh fruit, vegetables, almonds and good quality water.
What is his unforgettable golf round?
The 1978 Masters Tournament. I started the final round down by seven strokes, shot a record 64, and beat three players by one shot for my third Green Jacket at 44 years of age.
Famous quote: “The harder you practice, the luckier you get.”
What is his priority between family - golf - job?
Family and faith are the most important things in my life. Golf, my horse farm and philanthropy are also very important to my quality of life.
Why nickname: Black Knight?
Growing up, I was a big fan of the Western genre of TV shows. One of my favorites was Jack Paladin, Have Gun - Will Travel. He wore all black, was a good man, and helped others. My father had convinced me I needed to create an identity and a logo if I was going to build a distinctive style, so I chose The Black Knight because it fit my demeanor. Perhaps subconsciously, I chose black to represent the people of Africa whom I have always tried to help.
Gary Player golf course in Red River
The first Player course in Vietnam, so what is its unique?
I envision a links-style course that exceeds 7500 yards and uses the river as a key feature. A golf course that will remind some of a British Open course in Scotland. We also look forward to an environmentally friendly approach, taking advantage of natural vegetation and other existing opportunities on site to not use too much water.
Does it suitable for amateur or pro golfers?
Both. Our goal is to design a course that amateurs will have fun playing, and also will be challenging enough to host professional tournaments. It will be a flexible golf course.
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