GEORGE, South Africa -- South African rocker Ard Matthews and BBC Radio 1 personality DJ Spoony are among the cast of golfers, businessmen and celebrities lined up for the 10th Anniversary of the Gary Player Invitational presented by Coca-Cola at The Links golf course at Fancourt, George, South Africa in from 26-29 November 2009.

Golfing icon Gary Player, one of only five men to win a career Grand Slam, will host the tournament which has raised over R250-million for children's charities.

Matthews, a self-confessed "golf nut" who fronts the South African rock band Just Jinjer, is keenly anticipating his second appearance at South Africa's premier charity event but dreads a repeat of his 'less than average' performance in his 2006 debut.

Having his lovely girlfriend, the South African model Landi Swanepoel, walking the course in support, may just give Matthews the boost he needs.

"I will need to impress Landi, especially with Gary Player, Angel Cabrera and Retief Goosen in the field," joked Matthews. "I have some friends who play on the Sunshine Tour; they might help me get in shape in time.

Seriously, I have no golfing expectations for the week; just being part of the set-up is enough for me. I really enjoyed the first event and hopefully I will be able to contribute in some way."

Although living outside of South Africa since 2002, Matthews has been very active in raising awareness for good causes in Africa through his music. He is also currently an Ambassador for 46664 which is Nelson Mandela's global HIV AIDS awareness programme launched through the Nelson Mandela Foundation in 2002.

Due to his role as global ambassador for South Africa's MyLife Foundation, Matthews does not sell his songs online. Rather, donators to MyLife receive a key that grant them access to rare recordings, videos and songs he is currently working on within his website.

"The band has been incredibly supportive of this project because it helps so many children to have a chance at a better future" Matthews said.

Just Jinjer have recorded and released five albums together, two of which went double platinum and three gold here in South Africa. After four years in Orange County in the United States, where the band tried to crack the US market, they recently signed with Curb Records and next year will see the band launch on a Tour of the USA.

Another return visitor, who has also played in the European and American versions of the Gary Player Invitational series, DJ Spoony, left South Africa last year with the promise that he will exact his revenge.

"I'll be back," joked Spoony during last year's prize giving ceremony after his team narrowly lost to the the fourball of business man Alan Pearson, senior tour pro Costantino Rocca, regular tour pro Retief Goosen and celebrity, the Spanish supermodel and actress Inés Sastre.

Spoony will have his chance to upstage Sastre, who not only has been in the winning team twice, but retaliated with an immediate 'you are on' and already confirmed her spot in the illustrious line-up.

The popular British DJ has a great affinity for South Africa, which he has visited on numerous occasions, and his friendly approach and easy going nature is a sure hit with both fans and participants alike.

"As a DJ, I mainly fly in and out of places on a red-eye and don't see much more than the airport and the club I'm playing at," said Spoony. "But South Africa is one of my top-10 destinations and the Gary Player Invitational is certainly one of my favourite events.

"The thing I love most about the event is the challenge. Just because you've hit a good shot it doesn't mean the next one will be the same; it's a constant battle, but you have three partners who can carry you through those tough ones.

"And then there is the added benefit of helping a legend like Gary Player to fulfill his life-long ambition of raising as much money as possible for the children. It doesn't get much better than this."

Matthews and Spoony will join BBC sports personality Sarah Stirk, Spanish supermodel and actress Inés Sastre and Sir Clive Woodward, among others, in the celebrity line-up.

"It is with the continued support of celebrities like Matthews, Spoony and Sastre, who have helped to broaden the appeal of the Gary Player Invitational presented by Coca-Cola and upped its profile, that the event is able to make a real difference in the lives of South Africa's neediest children," said tournament host and golfing great, Gary Player.

Tickets are available from Computicket at a cost of R75 each.
For further information, please contact:
Marc Tudhope, Managing Director, Black Knight International
E: marc@garyplayer.co.za or T: +27 21 671 5159

Jen Fonseca, Program Director for The Player Foundation
E: jen@garyplayer.com or T: +1 561 624 0300

About the Gary Player Invitational Global Series:
The Gary Player Invitational Series, with events in the United Kingdom, United States, China and South Africa, is aimed at raising money for non-profit charitable organisations, whose mission is to provide quality education for disadvantaged and underprivileged children and strengthen impoverished communities plagued by disease and crime.

For over a decade, top professionals, all-star sportsmen, celebrities, and businessmen have come together for the annual Gary Player Invitationals in support of underprivileged children. For more information about our charity series, please visit www.garyplayerinvitational.com .

About The Player Foundation:
The Player Foundation executes global charitable efforts in support of underprivileged children. This year the foundation celebrates its 25th anniversary, and in that time, has raised over R250 million globally. Gary Player Invitational charity events take place in each corner of the globe - from Europe to China to the USA and culminating in South Africa.

About Black Knight International:
Established by Marc Player, Black Knight International, the global holding company for all divisions of The Player Group, maintains a strong presence in North and South America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Gary Player's penchant for wearing black attire on the golf course, coupled with his competitive style of play and courteous demeanor, earned him the name, "The Black Knight." The recognizable Black Knight logo identifies all the companies of The Player Group, including the Gary Player®, Player® and Black Knight® brands.

Photos:
To request supporting imagery, please contact Miranda Cargill, Black Knight International at +1 561 624 0300 or miranda@garyplayer.com.