The Robert Trent Jones Society has announced that professional golfer Gary Player is the recipient of the fourth annual Legacy Award, in recognition of his lifetime contributions to the game of golf. Previous recipients of the award include Al Geiberger, Lee Trevino, and Hollis Stacy.
Player is recognized as golf’s premier international ambassador, having won golf’s Grand Slam with his U.S. Open win in 1965 at Bellerive in St. Louis, an RTJ Sr. original design and Society member. Player has more than 160 wins over seven decades and is also a highly successful golf course architect. He single-handedly ushered in an ethos of fitness to professional golf and has raised tens of millions of dollars for his charities, most notably cancer research and education for underprivileged youth.
In announcing the award, David Leigh, President of the Robert Trent Jones Society, said, “The Legacy Award was established in Mr. Jones’ name to honor individuals whose lifetime is committed to expanding the game we all love. It is with great pleasure that we honor Mr. Player for his countless contributions to the game, on and off the course.”
Leigh made special note of Player’s win at Bellerive in 1965, which completed his career modern Grand Slam, joining only Gene Sarazen and Ben Hogan at that time. Earlier this year, that feat was matched by Rory McIlroy at this year’s Masters and previously earned by Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.
“Bellerive is sacred soil,” Player said in accepting the award. “I prepared for that Open like no other.”
He also shared stories from his long career and playing alongside greats like Sarazen and Hogan. Player spoke highly about RTJ Sr. and his two sons, “working tirelessly to create outstanding golf venues. Mr. Jones had a tremendous work ethic well into his 90s.”
The video interview of Mr. Player accepting the award and recounting his playing at Bellerive can be found here.
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