Vivienne Player, the wife of Hall of Fame golfer Gary Player, died Wednesday after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Gary Player, 85, announced the death of his wife on social media. Gary Player and Vivienne Verwey Player were married for 64 years and had six children, 22 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, Golfweek reported.
“The unthinkable has happened. My wife of 64 years, my childhood sweetheart, my rock, and my soulmate Vivienne has lost her battle with pancreatic cancer,” Gary Player wrote on Twitter. “I cannot describe the deep sense of sadness I feel at having lost the one person who has always meant the world to me.
“Vivienne taught me the value of love, faith and trust. She taught our children those same values, and they were blessed to have a mother who lived those values every single day. When we first met, I had no doubt it was love at first sight and it turned out to be a love story of a lifetime. I believe it will also be so when we are finally together again. Until then, I will miss my Viv dearly.”
Statement of Gary Player on the passing of his wife, Vivienne. pic.twitter.com/Qg7pDbYBub
— GARY PLAYER (@garyplayer) August 18, 2021
The Players were childhood sweethearts and were married on Jan. 19, 1957, Golf Digest reported.
Vivienne Player was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in June 2020, according to the Golf Channel. She was the sister of golf professional Bobby Verwey, who won several tournaments, including the 1991 Senior British Open, according to Golf Digest.
Gary Player is one of professional golf’s greats, with 24 PGA Tour victories and nine major championships. He has 118 international professional victories and won 22 times on the Senior Tour.
Everyone at The R&A sends their deepest condolences to Gary Player and his family, following the sad news of Vivienne's passing. pic.twitter.com/lmcu17tVla
— The Open (@TheOpen) August 18, 2021
“She is the best wife that any man could ever wish for,” Gary Player told Tennis World in 2020 after his wife’s diagnosis. “You know, no other woman would have stayed with me. I spent more time on airplanes than anyone in this planet. And she stayed home with the kids.”
Vivienne Player also played golf and once recorded two holes-in-one in one round in Johannesburg, according to Golfweek.
After a hard-fought battle with pancreatic cancer, Gary Player’s wife of 64 years has passed away. https://t.co/omYYiqSUxr
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 18, 2021
Astrid and I send you @garyplayer and the family our deepest condolences on the loss of Vivienne who was a truly wonderful lady. We’ll miss knowing she’s no longer there RIP
— Tony Jacklin CBE (@jacklin_tony) August 18, 2021
Our thoughts and condolences are with Gary Player and his family, following the sad news of his wife Vivienne's passing. pic.twitter.com/WHXrOpq5I3
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) August 18, 2021
Vivienne Player, the wife of @GaryPlayer for 64 years, died on Wednesday after a courageous battle with cancer.
— USGA (@USGA) August 18, 2021
Our deepest condolences go out to the entire Player family. pic.twitter.com/GsBYV4xAlP
We are saddened to hear of the passing of Vivienne Player after a long battle with cancer.
— Professional Golfers Association of South Africa (@PGASA) August 18, 2021
Our heartfelt condolences goes out to PGA Honorary Life member,Gary Player. Our thoughts are with the whole Player family and friends during this time. RIP pic.twitter.com/Q7Q2HzAX0i
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