Gary Player is suing his grandson and son over memorabilia. He claims the two have tried to sell or sold memorabilia, including clubs and trophies, despite an agreement that the items must be returned to the nine-time major champion.
Player filed a lawsuit in November against Marc Player’s son Damian Player.
Stuart Singer, Gary Player’s attorney, said that the lawsuits were filed “reluctantly” after years of dispute between Marc Player and Gary Player over Marc Player’s collectibles. He had ended a business relationship in 2019 with his son.
Damian Player was also named in a separate suit. It is alleged that he sought buyers for memorabilia stored in 19 South Carolina storage facilities. He allegedly sold or assisted in selling multiple Rolex watches to someone “for significant amounts of money.”
According to court filings, his 1974 Master’s Tournament Trophy was sold at auction for $523,483, his South African Open Trophy was $48,841, and his 1965 US Open irons were $17,947. His 52nd Masters’ golf shoes were $1,171, which were all against Gary Player’s wishes.
Singer stated that Gary had to enforce his rights only after much struggle and reluctance.
Marc Player is also accused of failing to transfer social media accounts to GaryPlayer.com and his web domain to his father.
Marc Player is represented by attorney Darren Heitner. He said that the lawsuit is still in its infancy, but in a court response, he claimed that the 2021 settlement agreement was invalid because the property rights were owned by a trust. Heitner stated that he was not retained by Damian Player and could not be reached for comment.
Gary Player, a South African native, is one of the most admired golfers of all times. He won nine major championships at the PGA Tour, and nine on the Champions Tour. He was awarded the 1961 Masters and inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.
Singer stated that Singer still plays par golf at 87.
Player is the father of six children. He was married for over 60 years to Vivienne, before she succumbed to cancer in August 2021.
Player received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from former President Donald Trump on Jan. 7.
Marc Player was a manager for his father for almost two decades. Gary Player gave rights to trademarks, likenesses logos and images over the years to his son. Singer reported that Gary Player stated that he had rescinded the rights in 2019 after Marc Player claimed that he owed him $5 million.
Gary Player posted a statement on Twitter in August stating that Marc had put up trophies and other memorabilia for auction without his permission.
The post stated that the items belonged to her and she had taken steps to recover them.
Heitner responded to Marc Player’s tweet account by calling the allegations against Marc “petty and baseless”. He stated that some memorabilia was passed to Marc Player’s parents and has remained with him for many decades.
Heitner wrote, “You can’t take back what doesn’t belong to you.”
In the statement, it mentions a collection of 300 memorabilia pieces that was purchased by Christie’s in London in 2002.
A 2003 Palm Beach Post Articlereveals that Gary Player announced that he would be selling memorabilia through Christie. This shocked golf fans as well as some of his closest friends.
Many speculated as to why the sale was made, but Player stated that he did it to raise funds for his Blair Atholl School for over 450 children from South Africa. He also wanted to establish a trust fund for his family.
Player stated in 2003 that he didn’t want the money to be divided between his children. “I would go to my grave if this one wanted to play in the U.S. Open, and this one wanted it to be the British Open.” In my career, I have seen many people who died in a way that was tragic. The family was always arguing about what was left.
Singer stated that a judge indicated that he would approve a preliminary order prohibiting Gary Player from selling more items.
According to one lawsuit, an auction site listed for sale a 1959 Gary Player Black Knight putter. This was the 1968 Carreras Piccadilly World Match Play Golf trophy. Gary Player golf clubs won the 1965 US Open as well as the 1988 Belgian Classic Crystal Trophy.
Singer stated, “I am hopeful that this will serve as a means to resolve these problems.” Singer stated, “It’s one thing that you violate a settlement agreement and another thing that you violate a court order.”
