Comments on: Farewell to the the players’ Player

By: Footbal Person

Footbal Person — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 01:33:08 +0000

please excuse me for comenting on a golf article, I don’t want to be a troll, but that is quality photography for the picture,cudos to the guy who captured it in all its glory.

By: Spiros Scafidas

Spiros Scafidas — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 02:31:11 +0000

Hi Spiro
Thanks for a great article.As a S.African I can only confirm that Player was an inspiration to all of us and a true gentleman.In some ways he was almost to good to be true in his behaviour,never a step out of line.But then I guess thats what one expects from old school professionals!

By: Spiro Zavos

Spiro Zavos — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 20:53:34 +0000

Thanks Greg for these insights. The South Afrifcan contingent at the Masters was there behind the 18th green to welcome Gary Player at the end of his last round.
As for the Churchill quote, I go back to Frank Harris who once remarked to Oscar Wilde after the great wit had made an ironic comment, ‘I wish I’d said that, oscar.’
‘You will, Frank, you will,’ Wilde replied.

By: Greg Russell

Greg Russell — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 11:39:30 +0000

Spiro,

Thanks for these insights into the Palmer-Nicklaus-Player trinity.

An additional point about Player would surely be that, being neither American nor British, he paved the way for golfers from “the rest of the world” to succeed in modern golf. I know that Peter Thomson won 5 British Opens, but I think that Player was far more significant in creating a path for Greg Norman, Ernie Els, Vijay Singh, etc. in golf.

I took notice a few years ago when, controversially, Player made Trevor Immelman a captain’s pick for the 2005 Presidents Cup, ahead of 7 players ranked more highly. Normally only a vastly experienced competitor would be selected in circumstances like this, not a young pup. Player’s justification was simple: “His graph is on the way up”, the great man said.

It’s history now that Player was correct and that Immelman won the Masters in 2008.

Incidentally, it was Mark Twain who declared “Golf is a good walk spoiled.” I have noticed that Churchill often gets credited with Twain quotes. The moral is perhaps that if you are witty enough, then you will get credit also for the best witticisms of others.

By: Greg Russell

Greg Russell — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 11:33:06 +0000

Spiro,

Thanks for these insights into the Palmer-Nicklaus-Player trinity.

It’s history now that Player was correct and that Immelman won the Masters in 2008.

By: Sherry

Sherry — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 19:56:56 +0000

Well written, Spiro. You can dip that one in bronze. Our mention of HHW clearly inspired you.

I saw Gary Player play Greg Norman at Wentworth 20 years back, in match play. The English crowd were vociferously for Player, shouting out “You’ve got him now, Gary,” whenever Player hit a good shot which was most of the time. Player was quite charming and would modestly thank the crowd when he arrived at each green. A sweet guy.

And Greg was equally relaxed. He’d hit a shot and chat to the crowd from the middle of the fairway. That’s the nice thing about pro golf: not too many prima donnas.
However, the (mainly) English gallery, tired of being beaten by antipodeans at golf and rugby, went home disgruntled that day. Greg took it 3 and 2.