IT'S FATHER AGAINST SON

Golf legend Gary Player is facing heartache on two fronts – his wife’s cancer and a court battle with his son

- CARLA COETZEE

HE’S A golfing legend, one of just four golfers to have won all four of the world’s major championships.

Since his retirement in 2009, Gary Player has been as active as ever doing charity work, designing golf courses and remaining in peak physical condition at the ripe old age of 84.

And through it all, Vivienne, his wife of 63 years and mother to his six kids, has been by his side.

In an interview three years ago when the couple celebrated their 60th anniversary, Gary gushed about life with Vivienne (YOU, 9 February 2017).

“We’re very grateful for the fairy-tale life we’ve lived. We’re in good health and we have a wonderful family. We thank God every day for our blessings,” he said.

But now that fairy tale appears to be crumbling around him. Not only is Vivienne (83) battling pancreatic cancer, Gary has been locked in a bitter business dispute with his eldest son, Marc (60).

Marc is the executive head of Black Knight International, the company that represents his father’s business interests. Black Knight was Gary’s nickname in his playing years – the diminutive golfer always wore black on the course.

Black Knight International is the parent company to several smaller companies, including the golf course design brand Gary Player Design and Black Knight Enterprises, which sells items such as wine and branded apparel.

According to court documents submitted in Florida in the US, another of Black Knight International’s companies, the Gary Player Group (GPG), has been ordered to pay Gary $5 million (R85m) and a court has ruled that ownership and naming rights be returned to the retired golfer.