The four-event series, started earlier this year in London, will culminate in a South African tournament from November 27-30 after first stopping in the USA and China, In honour of the 25th anniversary of The Player Foundation, a select gathering of golf professionals, celebrities and business executives will gather at Fancourt, one of the country's leading business and leisure resorts in George in the Southern Cape, to launch the local Gary Player Invitational (GPI), presented by Coca-Cola.

The GPI, South Africa's premier pro-celebrity charity golf event, has attracted 32 top participants to play Fancourt's demanding Links Course which, of course was designed by the Black Knight himself.

The principal objective of the four events is to raise funds for The Player Foundation and other local charities in South Africa.

"Golf is unique in its ability to bring like-minded individuals together to enjoy each other's company and achieve good things by helping to raise much-needed funds for charity," said Gary Player, a winner of all four majors and clearly his country's greatest golfer of all time.

"The children are the real winners here and we are grateful that we can help to make their future brighter. We look forward to making a difference."

Marc Player,CEO of Black Knight International, said the Invitational series offered local and international companies a fantastic platform for entertainment and networking whilst also raising money for very worthy causes.

"We are pleased to welcome Fancourt (to the venture) and much appreciate the ongoing support of Coca-Cola," he said.

"Together, with the tournament expertise and experience of the Sunshine Tour, we look forward to an association that will create awareness and charitable funds for worthy causes."

Alex Maditsi, senior Coca Cola South Africa Executive, said his company, "as always, was proud to be part of the latest initiative to raise money and improve the lives of South African children".

"We look forward to a successful event and hope that it will prove to be popular with the golf enthusiasts."

Other sponsors who have thrown their support behind the GPI in South Africa include Rolex, SAP, UPS, Brandhouse and Callaway.

Having hosted the 2003 Presidents Cup, and 2005's Women's World Cup and the South African Open, The Links has established itself a leading, if not unforgiving tournament venue with excellent guest accommodation at the surrounding Fancourt resort.

Speaking on behalf of the highly-rated resort, it's owner, world-renowned German businessman Dr. Hasso Plattner, said, "Fancourt shares a special relationship with Gary Player, and it is indeed appropriate for us to be hosting the Gary Player Invitational at The Links this year."

The most recent Gary Player Invitational presented by The Cliffs in the USA completed the second event in the series and will be followed by the third leg at the Shanghai Links in China which tees off on November 7.

Established in 1983, The Player Foundation strives to provide quality education, nutrition, medical care and extra-curricular activities to the less fortunate children living in rural areas of South Africa.

To date, more than R100-million has been raised for underprivileged children in all corners of the globe, and this year the causes include education, HIV-stricken communities, and childhood obesity.

In addition to The Player Foundation, the Children's Welfare Organization in George and several other smaller, local beneficiaries will benefit from the proceeds of this year's event.