Exciting Times in Orlando: Love, Tournaments, and New Beginnings
Orlando, Fla. has been buzzing lately, not just with the usual excitement of theme parks and warm weather, but with some heartwarming news coming from a golf legend. Gary Player, at a sprightly 89 years young, has announced he has a new girlfriend! Yes, you heard that right. Player, known for his incredible golf career and his love for life, recently shared his feelings at the PNC Championship. “I said I wanted to live until 100. Now if I live to 91, I’ll be happy,” he quipped with a laugh.
His girlfriend, Susan Waterfall, is an 83-year-old beauty from New York. Player recounted their adorable first meeting at a golf event in Miami. While trying to find each other, Player ended up on a putting green when Waterfall approached him and said, “I’m Susan Waterfall. Everyone has been trying to introduce us.” How sweet is that? He immediately found her charming and asked her out to dinner. As a fun side note, Player joked about their wealth, saying, “Listen, Susan, I don’t need your money. I’m also rich. But if you die before me, you can leave me a little!”
The Korda Family Shines Bright
Switching gears, let’s chat about the world of tennis and the Korda family. Nelly Korda, a star on the LPGA tour, is gearing up for some festive fun this holiday season. With her younger brother Sebastian heading to Australia for the Australian Open, she’s excited about a mountain retreat that includes some thrilling dog sledding. “I’m very excited for that, something I’ve never done,” she shared. Korda is a big fan of the snow, having skied as a kid, but she added, “I do not ski now. I’m already fragile enough!”
Nelly also recently had an epic season, bagging seven victories and taking home the title of LPGA player of the year. And what’s her game plan for the upcoming season? “I will skip the early Asia swing and won’t return until the West Coast,” she revealed. Sounds like she’s ready to kick some golf butt fresh out of the holiday break!
TV Lights and Low Ratings
Charity Programs and Golfing Innovations
Now let’s brighten the mood with some charity news! The Western Golf Association proudly announced that the BMW Championship raised a staggering $10.2 million for the Evans Scholars Foundation, the program’s biggest haul ever. The tournament has come a long way since returning to its roots! As for the Wells Fargo Championship? They racked up $5.9 million for charity, bringing their total to over $36 million since starting back in 2003. That’s some serious commitment to giving back!
In addition, the PNC Championship has secured its position, with PNC Bank extending their title sponsorship all the way until 2032. With so many events and ongoing contributions, the golfing community continues to shine bright during the holiday season.
New Adventures in Golf
And while we’re discussing the future of golf, the Epson Tour has great news too! They’ve announced a 20-tournament schedule for 2025, including three new events, all with a bumper prize pool of $5 million. It’s an exciting time to be a golf fan!
With a mix of love stories, thrilling tournaments, and incredible charitable contributions, Orlando is buzzing with good vibes. Whether it’s Player finding love or Korda gearing up for a snow adventure, this city definitely has something magical in the air!
