GlenArbor Golf Club in Bedford will host the 2015 Gary Player Invitational on October 11 and 12. This will be the event’s first visit to Westchester and marks a special year for headliner Gary Player, who celebrates the 50th anniversary of his career Grand Slam and his 80th birthday. Player designed the 6,900-yard course at GlenArbor.
The Berenberg Gary Player Invitational is a gathering of high profile celebrities, professional golfers, and athletes. An 18-hole, four-ball tournament format will be followed by a gala dinner and charitable auction. In previous years, it was held in Palm Beach, Miami and around The Masters.
“I am thrilled to be hosting the U.S. leg of our Invitational series at GlenArbor Golf Club,” said Gary Player. “It’s a world-class venue and the ideal backdrop for us to continue the tradition of Golf and Giving this year as I celebrate the 50th anniversary of my career Grand Slam and my 80th birthday. Add that our fantastic sponsor Berenberg is celebrating their 425th anniversary and you have a very special year for the event.”
The U.S. event represents the second leg in the 2015 series, following a successful event at Wentworth Club, located just outside London, in July. The BGPI UK event gathered together the biggest names in golf, business, and entertainment at Wentworth Club despite clashing with the extended Monday finish at The Open Championship. Pros including Fred Couples, Tom Watson, Ian Poulter, Colin Montgomerie, and Suzann Pettersen joined in on the fun and giving during a gala auction after the day’s play. Later Gary Player, The Player Foundation, and presenting sponsor Berenberg, donated a significant contribution during the Gala Dinner. This all culminated in raising more than $225,000 for Depaul UK, a charity that works tirelessly to prevent youth homelessness.
The Berenberg Gary Player Invitational forms part of the world-leading charity golf event series, which has raised more than $60 million for charities worldwide. The benefiting charity for the U.S. event will be The Player Foundation, whose goal is to donate $100 million by 2020 to the support of children’s charities, the betterment of impoverished communities, and the expansion of educational opportunities throughout the world. The 2015 series will continue later this year in China, India, South Africa, and Abu Dhabi.