Iconic Player takes on Cotswold Downs

THE golfing legend, Gary Player, proved age is just a number when he took on the challenge provided by the beautiful Cotswold Downs course.The management and members of Cotswold Downs Golf Leisure Centre were thrilled to host the iconic South African golfer.

“I always enjoy coming to Durban as I won the South African Open at Durban Country Club a couple of times. Nicklaus and I played there in 1965 and I beat Bobby Locke in a 36-hole playoff there as a young man. So it’s got special memories for me,” said Gary.

This was hist first visit to Cotswold Downs and he delighted club members and their families by taking the time to meet with them and share stories from his past. As would be expected of a pro of his stature, he couldn’t wait to play the course and he took to it extremely quickly.

He shot a 1-over par on the front nine, and 76 for the 18 holes overall.

The Cotswold Downs 18-hole championship parklands-type course was designed by Peter Matkovich to USGA specifications.

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At 84 years old, one might expect him to slow down, but he is as busy as ever as he continues to travel the world to design golf courses, represent companies, work with his racehorses and play in tournaments.

His next big event is in Houston, Texas in April, where he’ll team up with Jack Nicklaus.

“I’m still averaging 72 and I beat my age an average of 12 shots a round. I’ve beaten my age more than 2 500 times in a row now and my great dream is to beat my age by 18 shots, which nobody’s ever done before,” said Gary.

“In just about every other sport you’re finished by the time you turn 32, and in some you’re so crocked you can’t walk. But not in golf. I won a tournament in America when I was 63 and at 84, I’m still playing well,” he said.

It’s for this reason that he believes golf presents a great opportunity for young South Africans to make something of themselves and inspire the nation.

“Golf is the passport to the world. It’s played everywhere and is growing at such a rapid rate. We have programmes in place in this country to develop young golfers and I’d love to see South Africa produce a Tiger Woods to inspire us. That would be a fantastic thing. It’s also wonderful to see the young lady pros coming through, though I would like to see women’s golf have more sponsors,” said Gary.

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