Charitable Drives

Golf legend Gary Player talks about the changing nature of business travel after another successful fundraising invitational in Abu Dhabi.

It’s said that you’ve racked up an astonishing 26 million kilometres in air travel, which is more than any other athlete. How have you found the changing nature of travel – is it more enjoyable, and easier, now? What do you most like and dislike about the travel experience? It’s like night and day. When I first started travelling in the 1950s from South Africa to play tournaments in America, it took more than 40 hours. Can you imagine that? It was the only way to get there – and I wasn’t flying first-class, but in coach. If I wanted to lay down flat, I would tell the person next to me they could have the row if they put they feet up and not kick me on the floor. Air travel today is completely different. You aren’t stopping and changing planes four times. Today, I can get from South Africa to America or Japan on a non-stop direct flight.

Does that mean you’re a loyal frequent flyer member or variety is the spice of life? 

I have a relationship with many airlines but that doesn’t always dictate my flight. For the Gary Player Invitational in Abu Dhabi, one of our sponsors was Etihad Airways. My goodness, it was some of the best service I ever received. My wife and I have certain airports we like to fly into because the service is so good and flights are seldom delayed. We are very loyal travellers, so naturally we expect loyal service.

How much of your travel is related to course designs, and is it different being a ‘business traveller’ today compared with when you were travelling as a playing professional?