Gary Player: The New Tiger Woods could be from Bulgaria

The Sofia Echo, 14th August 2006

World golf legend Gary Player, who visited Bulgaria for a few days, believes that the new Tiger Woods could be a Bulgarian.
“I like Bulgaria very much. The climate suits me best, traditional Bulgarian cuisine is just great and all the people are really nice,” said Player.
“I believe that golf has a great future here and soon it will become a very popular sport,” he said.
Player said that the development of golf would supply Bulgaria’s economy with additional investments.
“Golf is the best way of making money. Most of the people who play golf are very rich, and spend and invest large amounts. I am sure that once they come to Bulgaria and see for themselves the incredible beauty of the local nature, they are going to return as soon as possible”.
South African-born Player is known as “The Black Knight” for his choice of clothing colour in competition.
He said that the 18-hole golf course in Balchik, which he described as the first course in Bulgaria that suits all world-class requirements, was among the most beautiful he had ever designed. “It’s not that important whether this golf field will appear among the world’s 50th best. The fact that really matters is that we constructed it with great pleasure and with respect towards nature. It also important that it will create new jobs, and young people will share the opportunity to play sport instead of sitting in front of their computer monitors. I believe that the new Tiger Woods may come from Bulgaria. We will try to attract as many world champions as we can. It’s also possible that Bulgaria could organise international championships.”
Player said that one of the main pros in golf was that there were no age limits and one can play as long as he feels healthy and willing.
“Golf is like a disease. Once you start, you just can’t stop. The best news is that you can play as long as you want. In other sports, you have certain age limits which you are obliged to obey. I am 70, and I am still playing,” he said.



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