Gary Player Net Worth : Career & Houses
South African golfer who is considered to be one of the greatest players worldwide, Gary Player’s net worth is $250 Million.
During the course of his career, Gary won nine major championships on the regular tour and nine championships on the champion’s tour.
Gary won the 1965 U.S Open and became the only non-American to win all four majors in a career which is also known as the career Grand Slam at the age of 29.
At the time, he was the youngest and also became the only third golfer in history to win the career Grand Slam.
The Player won over 150 professional tournaments on six continents over seven decades and, in 1974, was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.
Gary Player was born on November the 1st, 1935, in Johannesburg, South Africa.
His mother, Muriel Player, died of cancer when he was just eight years of age. His father, Harry Player, was often away from home working on gold mines.
Although his father was away a lot, he managed to take a loan to buy a set of clubs for Gary to begin playing golf.
The Player fell in love with golf in the Virginia Park golf course in Johannesburg.
He played his first round of golf and parred the first three holes at the age of 14.
Similarly, he became a professional golfer at the age of 17.
At the age of 14, the player played his first round of golf and parred the first three holes.
At age 16, he announced that he would become number one in the world.
Quick Facts
Before continuing further into this article, let’s look at some quick facts about Gary.
| Full Name | Gary Jim Player |
| Nick Name | The Black Knight |
| Date of Birth | November 1st, 1935 |
| Age | 89 years old |
| Birth Place | Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Religion | Unknown |
| Nationality | South African |
| Ethnicity | Unknown |
| Education | King Edward VII School |
| Father’s Name | Harry Player |
| Mother’s Name | Muriel Player |
| Marital Status | Vivienne Verwey (m. 1957–present) |
| Zodiac Sign | Scorpio |
| Siblings | Brother: Ian Player |
| Children | Wayne Player, Marc Player, Amanda Player, Jennifer Player, Michele Player, Theresa Player |
| Height | 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 m) |
| Weight | 68 Kg (149 lbs.) |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Hair Color | Salt & Pepper |
| Beard or Mustache | Beardless |
| Hairstyle | Simple |
| Tattoo | No |
| Profession | Professional Golfer |
| Residence | Jupiter Island, Florida, US, Colesberg, South Africa |
| Build | Athletic |
| Net Worth | $250 Million |
| Social Media | Facebook, Instagram, Twitter |
| Last Update | December, 2024 |
Gary Player Net Worth and Income
Net Worth
One of the best golfers of all time Gary Player has a net worth of a whopping $250 Million.
The golfer has amassed an impressive fortune from his golf career.
Signing an endorsement deal with world-renowned brands surely contributed to his wealth.
Income
Nicknamed “The Black Knight,” Mr. Fitness and International Ambassador of Golf, Gary is also a renowned golf course architect.
He has more than 325 golf course design projects on five continents throughout the world.
Similarly, he has written or co-authored 36 books on golf.
His business interests are represented by the Black Knight International, which includes Gary Player Design, Player Real Estate, The Player Foundation, Gary Played Academies, and Black Knight Enterprises.
The aspects of the business include licensing, events, publishing, wine, apparel, and memorabilia.
The Gary Player Stud Farm breeds thoroughbred racehorses, including the 1994 Epsom Derby entry Broadway Flyer.
Reportedly, a golfer earns more from his business than what he used to earn from PGA and Senior Tour.
In 2013 Player pocketed $14 Million from PGA and senior tour; however, his business made $36 million in revenue.
Among all the businesses, Player has golf course design business generates most of the revenue, $23 million in 2013.
Even the golf business experts said that the figure was unusually high.
Gary Player Houses, Cars, and Watches
Houses
House in South Carolina, USA
The house sits on 6,900 square feet and offers five bedrooms and six bathrooms. It boasts almost $1 Million exterior amenities, including an infinity pool, waterfall, and stone walking paths.
The interior of the house comes with African-inspired decorations, which were selected by the Player himself.
Perhaps the most interesting quirk of the house is its four-car garage with the heated and cooled floor with separate office and workshop space.
This dream house was put to sale in 2015 for $6.6 Million.
Paradise Farmhouse Karoo, Colesberg, South Africa
Mr. Gary Player acquired the property in 1974 and has produced over 2000 top thoroughbreds horses.
The farm is located at Oorlogspoort River just outside of Colesberg, far from city lights, noise, and pollution.
Mr. Player himself described this place as bliss or “Heaven on Earth.” The main residence was completed in 2006.
The house offers vaulted ceilings, airy living rooms, a large koi pond, wine cellar, ultra-modern kitchen, walk-in cold room, lounge area, and a full-sized gym.
Furthermore, the house has a long lap pool outdoors, a tennis court, hot tub, various garages, a private chapel, and a three-bedroom two-bathroom guest house with its own pool and entertainment area.
And, of course, it has a gold course.
But after calling it home for 44 years, Player listed it for sale in 2016 for $3.5 Million plus VAT.
Jupiter Island House, Florida, USA
Golfing legend Gary Player purchased this Florida house in 2004 for $6.6 million.
The house boasts 8,200 square feet of living space, which features eight bedrooms and six bathrooms.
The house additionally offers Cabana House, a three-car garage.
Mr. Player owns numerous other properties in the USA and South Africa.
Cars
Austin A40 (First car owned by Player)
This was the first-ever car Player purchased with his own money. The car had a hole in the roof and no silencer on the exhaust.
Ford Customline
His second car was a Ford Customline. He purchased the car for around $1,700 for the four-door saloon and drove it to the east coast of South Africa on his honeymoon.
Austin-Healey 3000
He bought this open-top car after winning the British Open at Muirfield, his first major in 1959.
Lincoln Continental convertible
He continued to clock up victories and, with a growing family and bank balance, bought a Lincoln Continental convertible.
Cadillac Coupe de Ville
He bought a Cadillac Coupe de Ville in 1974. It was so long it wouldn’t fit in his garage.
2017 Mercedes GLE 350d
Apart from his vintage cars, Player also owns some new, modern, and luxurious wheels. And what is luxurious than the Mercedes GLE 350D. The SUV comes with a price tag of $75,000 with every luxurious amenities possible.
Mercedes S-class
These days Mr. Player prefers to be chauffeured around rather than taking the wheel himself. This is his dream car and drives often.
This is the most expensive and top-of-the-line model Mercedes makes. The base-level S-class comes with a price tag of over $1 10,000.
This is the most expensive wheel in his collection.
Watches
Though Mr. Player does not remember the first watch he bought nowadays, Player finds himself cycling through a handful of select pieces.
The Player has great admiration for Rolex watches and has several models.
Mr. Player was so obsessed with Rolex that he went on the production line of the Rolex for an up-close look at the inner workings in Geneva, Switzerland.
Rolex Deepsea
This model of Rolex features a D-blue dial and large hour markers. The watch is waterproof to a depth of 3,900 meters. The price for Rolex Deepsea is $14,995.
Platinum Oyster Perpetual Day-Date
The price range for this particular model is $31,000 to $65,000.
The Day-Date was the first watch to specify the day of the week spelled out in full when it was first offered in 1956.
Yellow Gold GMT Master
This model of Rolex comes with a price tag of $39,000. This model was unveiled in 1892.
Its combination of superior functionality, sturdiness, and instantly identifiable aesthetics has attracted a broader audience of world travelers.
Gary Player Lifestyle and Vacations
Lifestyle
The golfing legend is also still as bodily active as ever. He strictly follows his fitness regime.
Even in his 80s, he still pushes 400 pounds in leg press. He does 1,300 sit-ups every afternoon, crunches, and planks. He still puts the trade mill on max.
Gary Player works out regularly in the gym. His exercise routine includes various types of leg, lower back, and neck stretching.
In terms of diet, he is “90% vegetarian” and trying to remove animal products from his diet completely.
He credits his healthy lifestyle and love for weight training for his success in golf.
In terms of clothes, he usually picks up black outfits as given by his name “The Black Knight.”
Vacations
Whether it’s designing golf courses, breeding racehorses, playing in competitions, or doing work with the Gary Player Foundation, he’s always on the run.
In fact, the Player travels so often, and he feels confident enough to make a rather daring claim. “Well, I’ve traveled more miles than any human being ever. That’s 63 years of continuous travel. Nobody does that, not even pilots,” he says.
We can make an assumption about his traveling from this statement alone.
He has been to every continent of planet earth. Owning several homes around the world comes in handy for Player.
Charity
Mr. Player is focused on different environmental and social issues and supports various charitable and non-profit organizations.
The player does most of his good deeds through his own foundation Gary Player Foundation.
Since its establishment in 1983, the foundation has donated over $65 Million to the support of children’s charities around the globe.
Every year Black Knight International, in union with the Gary Player Foundation, manages and runs a series of 6 respected golf events on four continents to raise funds for charity – the primary recipients being underprivileged children’s education and impoverished communities across the world.
Gary Player Movies, Investments, Endorsements, Books Publications
Movies
Besides traveling for golf tournaments and designing courses around the globe, Mr. Player has managed to appear in numerous movies, television shows, and documentaries over the years.
According to IMDB, he has four credits as an actor.
He has made an appearance in “My Way II,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “ In Depth with Graham Bensinger,” and “Seve: The Movie.”
Investments
Gary Player has invested in multiple business ventures throughout his career.
His chain of business includes Gary Player Designs, Gary Player International, Black Knight Enterprises, Black Knight Management, and Black Knight Foundations.
From designing golf courses to producing clubs, the chain of business has done it all. Among all the businesses, Player has golf course design business generates most of the revenue.
In 2019 Gary Player announced a sponsorship and investment deal with OnCore Golf. OnCore is the golf ball industry and is known for producing ELIXR tour balls.
Endorsements
During the course of his career, Mr. Player endorsed some of the biggest brands, including Rolex, Coca-Cola, E-Z-Go, and Ahead.
Gary’s contract with Coca-Cola ran from December 1, 1960, to November 30, 1961.
Big brands obviously come with big paychecks, and it has been speculated that Player was paid in millions for the deals.
Books Publications
Throughout his career, Gary Player has authored numerous books on Golf.
Some of his best-selling books include Golf Begins at 50, Fit for Golf, 395 Golf Lessons, Positive Golf, and Gary Player’s Golf Secret.
Mr. Player has written more than 30 books on golf.
Career
Mr. Player was the first “international” golfer to gain stardom.
A player earning up to one of his many nicknames as “The International Ambassador of Golf” is estimated it has flown over 15 million miles for golf tournaments around the globe.
The very last of Player’s nine wins in majors came at the 1978 Masters, where his final-round 64 drove him from a 7-shot deficit to a 1-stroke victory.
Similarly, he has been a recipient of numerous accolades such as the South African Sportsman of the Century award, World golf Hall of Fame, 1961 PGA Tour Money leader, and many more.
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Facts about Gary Player
- Mr. Gary was the only golfer of the 20th century to win the British title in three different decades.
- Including the last in 2009, Player holds the record for most times playing in The Masters.
- Golfer also released a record album in 1970, which is available and can be heard on YouTube.
FAQs
Why is Gary Player called The Black Knight?
He liked wearing a black outfit on the golf course. So, in gratitude for that, he was called the Black Knight as a heroic golfer who goes into the battle.
Is Gary Player a member of Augusta National?
Yes, Gary Player has been part of the ceremony for 10 years now.
