EVENTS
October 3-4, 2026 The Union League, Liberty Hill, PA
The Gary & Vivienne Player Foundation USA is thrilled to announce "PLAE for the Future," an exclusive event that will be held at The Union League - Liberty Hill in Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania on October 3-4, 2026.
Funds raised from the two-day event will directly support PLAE - The Player Academy of Excellence. An initiative of the Gary and Vivienne Player Foundation, PLAE delivers high-impact academics, sports enrichment, mentorship, and real-world exposure – the kind of opportunities usually found only in costly private programs – at no cost to students or families.
Learn more about PLAE and our mission: www.gvpfusa.org.
2026 Legacy Event
My Position Title
April 26-27, 2026 Floridian National Golf Club & Apogee Golf Club
The Gary & Vivienne Player Foundation USA proudly hosted its 2026 Legacy Event at The Floridian and Apogee, bringing together leaders in golf and philanthropy to advance opportunity for young people.
Funds raised during the gala and Golf Day directly support the launch of the Player Academy of Excellence (PLAE) — a holistic, year‑round program focused on mentorship, academic support, wellness education, and life‑skills training.
This milestone reflects our commitment to breaking cycles of poverty through education, health, and community.
Please click here to watch a video of special moments from the event.
Celebrating 90 Years of Family, Fitness, and Philanthropy
My Position Title
August 17, 2025 Union League Liberty Hill
The Gary & Vivienne Player Foundation USA hosted a special celebration at Union League Liberty Hill, honoring Gary Player’s 90 remarkable years rooted in family, fitness, and a lifelong commitment to giving back.
Guests, supporters, and partners gathered to recognize Mr. Player’s enduring legacy while advancing a cause close to his heart. Funds raised from the event directly benefited Family Reach — a national nonprofit providing critical financial support to families facing the overwhelming costs of cancer treatment.
Family Reach helps families stay afloat by offering assistance with food, housing, utilities, and transportation, ensuring that no one has to choose between life‑saving care and basic needs.
This milestone celebration honored Gary Player’s extraordinary life while making a meaningful impact for families fighting cancer — a true reflection of his belief that the measure of a life is in the lives we touch.
My Position Title
90th Celebration
April 27-28, 2025 Floridian National Golf Club
Gary Player’s 90th‑year celebration brought together friends, family, celebrities, and supporters for a memorable two‑day tribute. The weekend opened with an elegant dinner for 200 guests, featuring heartfelt tributes from close friends including Jack Nicklaus and David Yarrow, with Bret Baier serving as emcee. A surprise call from President Donald Trump, a sparkling 90th‑birthday cake, and a lively PXG‑sponsored chipping contest made the evening unforgettable.
Day two brought more than 90 golfers to the course for a joyful round alongside golf pros including Ernie Els, Jim Thorpe, Thomas Aiken, Hugh Baiocchi, and Susana Benavides.
All proceeds from the celebration support the Gary & Vivienne Player Foundation USA and its mission to lift children out of poverty through education, health, and housing
Day two brought more than 90 golfers to the course for a joyful round alongside golf pros including Ernie Els, Jim Thorpe, Thomas Aiken, Hugh Baiocchi, and Susana Benavides.
All proceeds from the celebration support the Gary & Vivienne Player Foundation USA and its mission to lift children out of poverty through education, health, and housing
My Position Title
Ladies' Golf & Cocktails Experience
September 17, 2024 Union League Liberty Hill, PA
The Gary & Vivienne Player Foundation USA hosted a vibrant Ladies Golf & Cocktails event at Union League Liberty Hill in Pennsylvania, bringing together 50 women for an unforgettable afternoon of learning, laughter, and philanthropy. Guests enjoyed a dynamic golf clinic led by three icons of the game — Gary Player, Nancy Lopez, and Susana Benavides — with hands‑on sessions covering the long game, short game, and putting. The clinic concluded with a spirited Beat the Pros competition, where winners received special gifts courtesy of PXG.
Following the on‑course experience, guests gathered for a lively Q&A conversation with Gary Player and Nancy Lopez, offering personal insights, stories from the game, and inspiration for golfers of all levels.
All proceeds from the event supported three impactful organizations: AIM for the Handicapped, Good Sports, and First Tee.
The day celebrated community, empowerment, and the joy of golf — all while advancing programs that help children thrive.
My Position Title
Journey From Africa
May 5, 2024-May 6, 2024 The Bear's Club, Jupiter, FL
The Gary & Vivienne Player Foundation USA hosted an extraordinary 2-day event of championship‑level golf, world‑class hospitality, and heartfelt purpose at our Journey From Africa event. Inspired by the South African philosophy of uBuntu — “Together we are stronger” , the day honored the Player family’s journey from South Africa to the world and the mission that continues in their name.
Guests enjoyed a full day on the course playing 18 holes alongside golf pros and celebrity guests, creating unforgettable memories and moments of friendly competition.
Proceeds from the event directly support the Foundation’s mission to lift children out of poverty through education, health, and housing, continuing the legacy of Gary and Vivienne Player’s lifelong commitment to giving back.
My Position Title
A Life Of Love
October 8-9, 2023 Aronimink Golf Club
There are over 7000 different languages and ways to communicate, but none are as powerful and universal as the language of love which we celebrated during this event. We joined together to celebrate the life that Gary and Vivienne Player led, along with their family -- focused on loving and blessing the lives of others.
Participants at the A Life of Love event enabled us to raise over $550,000 for our beneficiaries. All proceeds went to lifting children out of poverty through education, health and housing.
My Position Title
The Reunion Event
March 26-27, 2023 Jupiter, FL
Your participation in the GVPF Reunion Event enabled us to raise over $700,000. All proceeds will go to lifting children out of poverty through education, health and housing.
My Position Title
The Ambassador Event
September 12, 2022 Union League Liberty Hill, Lafayette Hill, PA
The Gary & Vivienne Player Foundation USA proudly hosted its first major fundraising event at Union League Liberty Hill in Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania. The Inaugural Ambassador Event brought together supporters, partners, and friends for an unforgettable day of world‑class golf, philanthropy, and South African hospitality.
Guests enjoyed a once‑in‑a‑lifetime opportunity to play on the club’s Player‑designed course alongside two icons of the game--Gary Player and Annika Sorenstam. The intimate field of 100 invited guests experienced a full day of championship‑level golf, connection, and inspiration. Following golf, guests gathered for a vibrant evening program featuring a curated charity auction, a South African wine reception, and a special culinary experience celebrating the Player family’s heritage.
Established in January 2022, the Gary & Vivienne Player Foundation USA is dedicated to lifting children in the U.S. out of poverty by supporting organizations that provide education, health, and housing.
The Foundation continues the lifelong mission of Gary and his late wife Vivienne, whose work has positively impacted vulnerable children around the world.
My Position Title
How to Donate
The Gary & Vivienne Player Foundation is a charitable organization identified under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Tax Code. The donations contributed to the Foundation are considered a tax-deductible contribution.
All contributions will help to lift children out of poverty through education, health, and community.
All contributions will help to lift children out of poverty through education, health, and community.