Gary Player, despite being 89 years old, is still a man looking for the love of his life, and he has succeeded. The popular golfer revealed ahead of the PNC Championship that he has found a girlfriend. In an interview with the media, Gary showed his charisma as he has countless times before, emphasizing that despite the fact that he is 89 years old, he has managed to find a girlfriend. It seems that the golf icon has a lot in common with his girlfriend, who likes the same things as him.
Player is known as someone who has an enormous will to live, believing that love is the foundation of everything. Regardless of his age, Player has always tried to stay in shape, play golf, and look forward to each new day.
“I said I wanted to live until 100. Now if I live to 91, I’ll be happy,” Player said, as reported by Fox Sports.
“Isn’t that amazing that at 89 you can find a girlfriend? She loves everything I love — golf, fishing, gym work, reading, opera, everything.”
Player met Susan Waterfall in Miami. Even though their friends tried to connect them earlier, it didn’t happen. The 89-year-old was invited to be an honorary member for a new golf course in Miami when fate finally took its course. At one point, Susan approached him and introduced herself. Gary immediately noticed her beauty and charisma, inviting her to dinner.
“I’m on the putting green and this lady comes up and says, ‘I’m Susan Waterfall. Everyone has been trying to introduce us,’” Player said. “I put my arm around her — she’s gorgeous — and I said, ‘I love this country, America, so much. I’ve got to have an American girlfriend.’ She blushes, doesn’t say anything. So I said, ‘Will you come to dinner with me?’”
The golf star joked again, stressing that his girlfriend is rich, but that his intentions are not to be with her for the money.
“She’s very rich,” he said. “I said, ‘Listen, Susan, I don’t need your money. I’m also rich. You don’t need my money. But if you die before me, you can leave me a little.’”
Gary Player and Vivienne
His wife Vivienne, to whom he was married for 64 years, passed away three years ago after a battle with pancreatic cancer. The golf legend opened up shortly after her death and revealed how difficult it was for him to accept her death. Vivienne was the person who gave him hope in life, the person who was a huge support for him, and the person without whom it would have been difficult to achieve such successes. Player accepted his fate, knowing that he had to move on with his life and do good for everyone.
“She gave her life to me. She had great faith and appreciated that life is full of adversity and she wanted me to go on with my life. She was a ‘Mother Hen’ to all of us, not only to our family and friends but also to the workers on the farm, who referred to her as ‘Dear Momma’. She insisted that I carry on with my life and continue to do good in the world. I’m beginning to understand that life has to go on. Thankfully, I’m doing fine now.”- he said.
Vivienne Player and Gary Player© tfgsportsclub / X / Fair Use
Player delighted many with the story of how he noticed Vivienne as a kid, knowing that one day he would marry her. The then 13-year-old Player got a new neighbor, who impressed him with her looks and charisma. He immediately felt that one day she would become his wife.
“We had so many happy memories. I first met Vivienne when I lived in a house in a poor neighbourhood in South Africa. A friendly couple from England moved into the house next door with a high garden fence. I found a stone I could stand on to look over their lawn. On one occasion my brother was with me and he said that there was a charming little girl coming to visit the English family next door. I was 13 years old and when I saw this beautiful young girl I couldn’t take my eyes off her. I remarked to my brother, “When I get older I’m going to marry that girl.” He replied, “What are you talking about – you’ve only seen her for 10 seconds.” All the same, I did marry that beautiful girl.”
The golf legend revealed that his wife was a great golfer, as her parents and brother were pro golfers. At one point she even beat him.
These kinds of loves are truly something special, aren’t they? Player is an example of always following your heart and fighting for the person you want and love.
Tennis World USA