Lombard triumphs at Sun City in 20th year of #GolfAndGiving

Sunshine Tour professional Zander Lombard and his team, including Irish pop star Brian McFadden, came out on top in the 20th Gary Player Invitational after a weekend that saw an incredible R2.3 million raised for The Player Foundation at Sun City.

Lombard, who led the Nedbank Golf Challenge hosted by Gary Player for two days before dropping to eighth position, led his team of McFadden and businessmen Adrian Moors and Mark Ilsley to a three-point victory, finishing on 188 points at the Lost City Golf Course on Sunday.

McFadden was delighted to be on the winning team for the second time.

"I won here when Gary Player celebrated his 80th birthday, and now I've won on the 20th anniversary of the Gary Player Invitational," he said.

"But the truth is that it's just incredible to play a part in what the Gary Player Invitational Series is doing around the world. Over $64 million has been raised for The Player Foundation and you can see all the people it has helped. We're just here to try and do our part."

Moors echoed the sentiment.

"It's fantastic to win, but it's more about the fundraising and how many people benefit from the work of The Player Foundation," he said.

The funds raised will be used to help Wings and Wishes and the Blair Atholl School.

"We are so grateful for the support of The Player Foundation," said Inge Human, Manager of Wings and Wishes.

"Government and private healthcare providers don't pay for the transport of chronically ill children from rural areas to facilities where they can be treated, so that's the role we fulfil. We transport six children seven days a week and 365 days a year.

"The Player Foundation and the Gary Player Invitational are our biggest donors and without them, we would not be able to help these children," she said.

Former Proteas captain Shaun Pollock was one of the many sports stars who participated this year. He summed up the weekend's action as one of the most memorable Gary Player Invitational tournaments.

"It was organised and run in a great way, in a great atmosphere and for a great cause. You help to raise money and that means you get to change the lives of children," he said.

Evan Mervis from Rolex left with a similar appreciation of the tournament's impact.

"Every year, we come here and listen to a beautiful message of hope and encouragement," he said.

And Thabo Mosololi, COO of Sun International, said the timing of this year's tournament was particularly special.

"Sun City is celebrating its 40th anniversary and the Gary Player Invitational is celebrating its 20th anniversary. We pride ourselves on being part of our communities and giving back to them, and the Gary Player Invitational does exactly the same. So this event really resonates and is very important to us," he said.