Gary Player being sued by former Rangers director
Dave King claims legendary golfer hasn't paid back his loan
GARY PLAYER is being sued for £650,000 by his former caddie and business partner for an unpaid loan, the golf legend’s lawyer said yesterday.
Former Rangers director Dave King gained an interim court order allowing him to sue the nine-time major champion for assets the 77-year-old holds in South Africa.
King claims he lent money to Player in 1999 but the golf great denies it was a loan, although his lawyer does not dispute the money changed hands.
“Mr Player denies from his perspective that the funds advanced ever constituted a loan,” said Player’s attorney, Rael Gootkin.
Gootkin confirmed court papers suing Player had not yet been filed and the parties are said to be looking to agree on a September court date to settle the argument.
The South African will oppose the interim court order and any further action to sue for money “if and when the summons is issued”, according to Gootkin.
South African media reported the document submitted to the court states the money was given to Player 14 years ago to repay a debt to his sports management company. Apparently Player agreed to allow King to travel with him to international sports events in return.
King has been in a long-running dispute with South African tax authorities and had his £10m vineyard seized two years ago.
King was a close friend of the golfer and once caddied for Player at the US Masters in 2008.
On Tuesday, Player revealed he would pose nude in ESPN The Magazine's Body Issue.
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