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Sun City to host final leg of GPI golf series

A three-year deal has been signed between Sun International and Black Knight International to stage the Gary Player Invitational (GPI) charity golf event. The tournament will take place from 14-17 November 2013 at the Lost City Golf Course and The Palace Hotel, and is presented by Coca-Cola.
[L-R] Gary Player, Therese Gearhart, president of Coca-Cola Southern Africa, and Graeme Stephens of Sun International
[L-R] Gary Player, Therese Gearhart, president of Coca-Cola Southern Africa, and Graeme Stephens of Sun International

"We are delighted to partner with Black Knight International and The Player Foundation in this prestigious golf charity event," said Mike van Vuuren, managing executive of Sun City. "We have a long-standing relationship with Gary Player and it feels only right for us to collaborate together in this philanthropic endeavour."

Featuring teams of professional golfers paired with celebrities and leading businessmen, the GPI at Sun City will feature four days of golf, glamour and giving in this leg of the global charity series to make a difference in the lives of people worldwide in need. "I am thrilled that Sun City will host the final leg of our global GPI series, which has experienced another record breaking fund-raising year for The Player Foundation," said tournament host Gary Player.

Brighter future for needy

Following successful GPI events this year in Augusta and London, the next leg of the GPI series takes to Shanghai on 4 and 5 November before ending the year at Sun City's Lost City Country Club and The Palace Hotel with a star-studded line-up.

"Our Foundation, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, has raised an amazing R500m for charities across the globe," said Marc Player, Black Knight International CEO. "We look forward to a successful event at Sun City to bring a brighter future to those in need."

Funds raised at the black-tie auction at The Palace of the Lost City on Friday, 15 November, will be shared between the Wildlands Conservation Trust and Wings and Wishes as this year's selected charity beneficiaries for 2013 by The Player Foundation and Coca-Cola.

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