Golf: Gary Player

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Cachet: The cachet shows a close up photograph of a well worn golf ball resting on a plain surface, with the words "Gary Player" printed underneath in simple black text. The dimpled surface of the ball fills most of the frame and carries faint scuffs and pen marks from use, giving it a lived in, personal feel rather than a studio prop look. The design keeps the focus entirely on the sport itself rather than on a portrait, letting the golf ball stand in for the man.

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**GARY PLAYER** ... die naam is vandag al legendaries in die wêreld van gholf. Op 40 jarige ouderdom is hy een van slegs vier spelers wat al die GRAND SLAM van gholf gewen het, t.w. die Britse Ope (drie keer), die Amerikaanse Ope (een keer), die Amerikaanse PGA (twee keer) en die Amerikaanse Masters (twee keer). Hierdie prestasie troon bo baie ander groot oorwinnings uit soos die Suid-Afrikaanse Ope (nege keer), die Australiese Ope (twee keer), die Piccadilly World Matchplay (vyf keer), die Wêreldreeks (drie keer), die Wêreldbeker (voorheen Kanada-beker) saam met Harold Henning, en die Brasiliaanse Ope (in 1974, toe hy in een ronde 'n wêreldrekord van 59 behaal het). Player het al meer as 100 groot toernooie oor die hele wêreld gewen. Hy is die enigste nie-Amerikaner wat al die Amerikaanse Masters gewen het (in 1961 en weer in 1974), afgesien van Ted Ray van Engeland (1920), ook die enigste nie-Amerikaner wat die Amerikaanse Ope (1965) kon wen. Hy is die tweede speler na die legendariese Harry Vardon van Engeland wat die Britse Ope in drie verskillende dekades kon wen (1959, 1968 en 1974). Player is op 11 September 1974 saam met twaalf van die beste gholfspelers wat ooit geleef het in die VSA vereer tot die WORLD GOLF HALL OF FAME in Pinehurst, North Carolina. Gary Jim Player is waarlik 'n "Wêreld-gholfspeler", 'n man wat na feitlik enige land ter wêreld kan reis en 'n gholftoernooi daar wen. Hy is 'n moedige, talentvolle en toegewyde speler wat net sy heel beste lewer. Hy rook en drink nie en hy bly fiks d.m.v. daaglikse oefening, hardloop, ens. Hy stel 'n pragtige voorbeeld vir sy junior medespelers. Sy godsdiens was nog altyd die rigsnoer van sy lewe en hy is 'n mensklike en lewenskragtige man. Hy was in die verlede, en is nog steeds, 'n uitstaande ambassadeur vir sy land. Wanneer Gary nie gholf speel nie, ontwerp en bou hy gholfbane en hy geniet dit om sy groot boerderybelange te ontwikkel wat die teel van renperde insluit. Hy en sy vrou Vivienne, en hulle ses kinders woon op 'n landgoed naby Johannesburg. **GARY PLAYER** — the name has already become legendary in the golfing world. At 40 he is one of only four golfers to have won golf's GRAND SLAM, viz the British Open (thrice), the US Open (once), the American PGA (twice) and the American Masters (twice). This achievement towers above many other major wins such as the South African Open (nine times), the Australian Open (twice), the Piccadilly World Matchplay (five times), the World Series (thrice), the World Cup (formerly Canada Cup) with Harold Henning, and the Brazilian Open (in 1974, when he scored a world record of 59 in one round). Player has won over 100 major tournaments throughout the world. He is the only non-American to have won the Masters (in 1961 and again in 1974), apart from the Englishman Ted Ray (1920), the only non-American to win the US Open (1965). He is the second player since the legendary Harry Vardon of England to have won the British Open in three different decades (1959, 1968 and 1974). On September 11 1974 Player was honoured in the USA together with twelve of the greatest golfers who ever lived by being admitted to the WORLD GOLF HALL OF FAME at Pinehurst, North Carolina. Gary Player is truly a "World golfer", a man who could travel to almost any country in the world and win a golf tournament there. He is a courageous, talented and dedicated golfer who never gives less than his very best. A non-smoker and teetotaller, he remains fit through daily exercise, running, etc. He is a shining example to junior golfers. Faith in God has been the guiding principle of his life and he is a man of warmth, grace and vitality. He has been, and still is, a great ambassador for his country. When Gary is not playing golf, he designs and builds golf courses and enjoys developing his extensive farming interests, including the breeding of race horses. He and his wife Vivienne, with their six children, live on an estate near Johannesburg.

Additional information

This cover is postmarked on 2 December 1976 in Johannesburg, SAPO reference PT 2.20. It's part of a South African sporting personalities issue and honours Gary Player, one of only four golfers in history to complete golf's Grand Slam. The stamp itself was designed by John Maskew and shows Player mid swing. By the time this cover was issued Player had already set a world record round of 59 strokes at the 1974 Brazilian Open, a mark that still gets mentioned in golf history conversations today.

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