NORMAN, Okla. – The Gary Player International Golfer of the Year Award, which will be given to five outstanding collegiate golfers from outside the United States, will begin this spring as announced by the Golf Coaches Association of America in partnership with FlightScope, the award’s title sponsor.
“Education and golf can be gateways to the world, and I am honoured and proud that the Golf Coaches Association of America has named an award after me and one that will recognize the achievements of international golfers in the USA,” said World Golf Hall of Famer, Gary Player. “I hope this honour will help inspire international golfers, honing their skills in the United States, to strive for even more success on and off the golf course and that this award will be won by future international superstars.”
Considered one of golf’s “Big Three” with Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player has left an everlasting impact on the game of golf by being a worldwide ambassador, philanthropist, and golf course designer. One of only five golfers to win the career grand slam, Player has continuously used his position to improve the lives of others in a positive way as a humanitarian and has focused strongly on education for the underprivileged. He is a member of the Laureus World Sports Academy, which celebrates sport’s ability to create positive change in the world. Player’s outstanding career has included 165 professional wins on six continents over seven decades and was acknowledged with being inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974, the Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003, the PGA TOUR’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Services to Golf in 2012, and a Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2020.
“FlightScope is honored and proud to partner with the GCAA as the title sponsor of the new Gary Player International Collegiate Golfer of the Year Award. With Gary Player’s legendary international golf career and FlightScope’s South African roots, this partnership feels like a perfect fit,” said Henri Johnson, Founder and CEO of FlightScope. “We share a commitment to long-term relationships and excellence, and we look forward to working with both the GCAA and Gary Player to inspire and recognize the next generation of standout international golfers.”
Renowned for accuracy and ease-of-use, FlightScope products represent the pinnacle of tracking technology, enabling players and coaches to measure and analyze every aspect of performance with unmatched accuracy.
“Certainly an exciting day for college golf and for our coaches association be able to recognize five outstanding collegiate golfers from outside the United States with this wonderful award,” GCAA President Ryan Cabbage said. “Mr. Player has given so much to the game of golf both on and off the golf course and now this award in his name and its recipients can be added to the wonderful list that will continue to carry on the legacy of one of golf’s all-time greats. On behalf of all of GCAA Members, I want to thank our partners at FlightScope for being the title sponsor for the Gary Player Award and for making possible the opportunity for international players playing college around the country to earn such a prestigious award.”
The Gary Player Award will be selected by GCAA International member coaches with representation from around the world. One winner each will be selected for NCAA Divisions I, II, and III, as well as NAIA and NJCAA.
About FlightScope
FlightScope is the industry leader and pioneer in tracking and analyzing sports performance data. The company was founded in 1989 when its proprietary technology was originally used to track projectiles for the defense industry. Turning its attention to the world of sports, FlightScope has introduced a variety of innovations to help improve athletic performance in multiple sports categories, including golf, baseball, softball, tennis, athletics, and cricket. For the accuracy you demand, FlightScope technology gives you performance data you can trust.
For more information, please visit www.flightscope.com.
About Golf Coaches Association of America
Established in 1958, the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) is the professional organization of men’s collegiate golf coaches. The GCAA’s mission is to support its member coaches from six divisions, including the NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA, by creating educational opportunities, providing resources, and promoting its members with the purpose of enhancing their overall performance as coaches, mentors, and teachers. The GCAA also recognizes the excellence and achievements of its members and their student-athletes in academic, athletic, and civic endeavors.
