Gary Player is not happy with Augusta

[Michael Morandi]

Masters 2023: Gary Player sounds off on Augusta National: 'If it wasn’t for the players, [Augusta] would just be another golf course in Georgia'


ary Player is a three-time Masters winner, but ahead of next week’s tournament the Hall of Famer said he doesn’t feel welcomed at Augusta National.


Player, speaking to the Times, lamented about the limited access he has to the course, calling the situation “sad.”


“After all I’ve contributed to the tournament and been an ambassador for them, I can’t go and have a practice round there with my three grandchildren without having to beg a member to play with us, and there’s always some excuse,” Player told the Times. “It’s terribly, terribly sad. I’ve played my role: I’ve won it three times, I was in the top-10 15 times, I made the most number of cuts in a row ever. Yet here we are struggling to get a round. If it wasn’t for the players, [Augusta] would just be another golf course in Georgia.


“It’s just sad—and I put great emphasis on the word ‘sad’—that Augusta [doesn’t] make you feel welcome in that regard because I helped make this tournament what it is.”


http://ow.ly/n0HX50NxYyR

[Cal Seifert]

[Mike_Trenham]

Masters should relive Jack Nicklaus of his first tee responsibilities and create a new role for him.  I suggest Jack be the starter for the Par 3 Tournament and announce the players, he could have pictures with the players and their families as they start as well.  Fewer big names would skip the Par 3 Tournament as well.

[Steve Lapper]

Read this for a better understanding of Gary Player and ANGC:




https://golfweek.usatoday.com/2023/04/01/lynch-gary-player-making-a-fool-of-himself/

[cary lichtenstein]

I'm both surprised and saddened by this. Gary Player has gone out of his way to be cordial to me and others I know unlike the typical pro. I think he harbors slighted by not given membership like Jack and Arnold.

[Ben Hollerbach]

I wouldn't be surprised if the banning of Gary's son from Augusta National does not also impact his position.

[Tim Martin]

I wouldn't be surprised if the banning of Gary's son from Augusta National does not also impact his position.

I went to an outing about twenty years ago where Wayne Player played a hole with every group. It was basically a full court press to hype a table full of Gary Player signed memorabilia at the dinner afterwards.

[Kevin_Reilly]

Gary Player signed memorabilia

Does he sign it "The Black Knight"?    


The nickname that never took hold.

[Matthew Rose]

Well he certainly isn't going to be any more welcome now.

Isn't the #1 unwritten rule of the place "if you have to ask, the answer is NO"?

[archie_struthers]

 


Gary's a tough one, can be charming or not so cool.  Great player , great story ....but some real issues


Very human


Bad architect 

[mike_beene]

I had a chance visit with Gary Player for a good hour several years ago. He was genuinely interested in me and interesting. He had nothing to gain. He left an impression on me. While there are always different sides and viewpoints, the relationship with his son is sad whatever the issues may be.

[Dave Doxey]

Player’s rambling comments are just a result of age.


It’s unfortunate that second rate press writers take advantage this kind of comment to lure eyeballs.

[archie_struthers]

 


Dave , that may be so given the proclivity of the press to push for sensationalism. Player has a tremendous resume but he does push the envelope hard.  His fitness is at his age is truly remarkable. He is driven beyond almost anyone who has played the game which makes it difficult to stop and smell the coffee.

[Steve Sayre]

'It’s unfortunate that second rate press writers take advantage this kind of comment to lure eyeballs."



Gee, Dave.  Seems like an awfully intemperate and overly broad shot at the golf press.  Player's behavior is legit golf news and the reporting I have read, e.g., Eamon Lynch in GolfWeek, is interesting and well-written. Check it out, you may change your view.

[Steve Lapper]

Player’s rambling comments are just a result of age.


It’s unfortunate that second rate press writers take advantage this kind of comment to lure eyeballs.

What's unfortunate is your limited understanding of the multiple facets of different personalities. Eamon Lynch (anything but a second rate golf press writer) does an excellent job of capturing the totality of Gary Player's professional personality and his history.


 Gary Player can be charming, enlightening and clearly deserves considerable credit for his competitive record. He is also narcissistic, overtly opportunistic and a known braggart. He has also been accused, in his competitive days, of taking liberties with the rules. All of those traits make a man complex and worthy, and when seeking public redress of the hosting club (aka making news), of critical review.

[Dónal Ó Ceallaigh]

Gary Player is a real bore, but it can't be easy for the poor fella, when one son was banned from Augusta, arrested for fraud and the another sells off your trophies and was tangled in a lawsuit with you.

[Eric LeFante]

He certainly is a complex individual.


My friend had a chance to play with Gary a few years ago simply because my friend was a fan and Gary wanted to make his day. My friend knew his daughter and Gary agreed to play with him (not an outing, he didn't pay to play with him). They played at my friends home course (not a top tier club). 


Gary spent quite a bit of time complaining about Augusta that day. One day he was planning on playing with his wife and their friends (a husband and wife). When they arrived at Augusta, they were split up, the husbands playing with members who wanted to play with Gary Player and the wives playing with other members. Gary was very upset by this since he planned to play with his wife and friends. Based on this story and Gary's latest comments it seems like Augusta does make it clear that past champions are not members and the only day of the year they are allowed to bring guests without being accompanied by a member is the Sunday before the tournament begins. I guess it's possible Augusta is a little stricter with Gary than they are with other champions.

[John Kavanaugh]

Gary Player gave me the greatest compliment I ever received. I didn’t love him till I played with him. Story of my life.

[Mike Wagner]

Masters 2023: Gary Player sounds off on Augusta National: 'If it wasn’t for the players, [Augusta] would just be another golf course in Georgia'


ary Player is a three-time Masters winner, but ahead of next week’s tournament the Hall of Famer said he doesn’t feel welcomed at Augusta National.


Player, speaking to the Times, lamented about the limited access he has to the course, calling the situation “sad.”


“After all I’ve contributed to the tournament and been an ambassador for them, I can’t go and have a practice round there with my three grandchildren without having to beg a member to play with us, and there’s always some excuse,” Player told the Times. “It’s terribly, terribly sad. I’ve played my role: I’ve won it three times, I was in the top-10 15 times, I made the most number of cuts in a row ever. Yet here we are struggling to get a round. If it wasn’t for the players, [Augusta] would just be another golf course in Georgia.


“It’s just sad—and I put great emphasis on the word ‘sad’—that Augusta [doesn’t] make you feel welcome in that regard because I helped make this tournament what it is.”


http://ow.ly/n0HX50NxYyR

1974 .. the original Patrick Reed.