By Greg Gottfried
On Sunday, Gary Player celebrated his 85th birthday, just the latest milestone in a life full of them. In lieu of birthday gifts, the nine-time major champion had but one request from his fans and fellow tour pros. He wanted everyone to donate $8.50—more was certainly appreciated—to Golf Fights Cancer. The goal: to raise $85,000 for the charity, and Player and friends are well on their way to making this happen.

Tomorrow I celebrate my birthday and have but one wish: Please consider supporting @golfightscancer. You can donate $8.50 in honor of my 85th birthday or any amount you’re able to, every bit helps. Let’s rally around a great cause. https://t.co/F32xmEOv5x #GP85 #GolfFightsCancer pic.twitter.com/Fs9QLuZl4C

— GARY PLAYER (@garyplayer) October 31, 2020

Using the hashtags #GolfFightsCancer and #GP85, the South African and many of the golf elite have been raising money for this noble cause. Here are just a few of the many notables that have joined in to celebrate Player and fight back.

Happy 85th birthday @garyplayer Have a great day!

For anyone in a position to do so, please jump on board with Gary’s birthday wish and support this worthy cause @golfightscancer then tag other golfers to join the fight #golffightscancer #GP85 https://t.co/WeSOkCB59D https://t.co/IwfUaN6MFx

— Ernie Els (@TheBig_Easy) November 1, 2020

Happy birthday to my great friend @garyplayer! ?????
I’ll be donating to @golfightscancer for Gary’s birthday! If you’d like to join the fight by donating $8.50 (or more!) in honor of Gary’s 85th. You can donate here: https://t.co/zI7ARk6cp2 #GP85 #GolfFightsCancer https://t.co/vfHjF30s9l

— Trevor Immelman (@TrevorImmelman) November 1, 2020

Happy 85th Birthday to my friend ⁦@garyplayer⁩. Join me and donate $8.50 . https://t.co/SokwlGCZO0 #GP85 #GolfightsCancer pic.twitter.com/LvVcA2FKub

— Billy Andrade (@BillyTAndrade) November 1, 2020

Happy 85th birthday. What an inspiration you are. https://t.co/MoRXSA0HGk #GP85 #GolfFightsCancer https://t.co/AU1FK5Ijym

— Padraig Harrington (@padraig_h) November 1, 2020

Donating my $8.50 to https://t.co/x9Te0P25VD to celebrate this legend’s 85th birthday! Happy birthday, Gary!!! #GP85 https://t.co/gLMgvUzb04

— Jeehae Lee (@jeehaeda) November 2, 2020

Here’s celebrating you @GaryPlayer.
85 years young today.
Happy birthday!???
My gift to you is a donation to @golfightscancer.
Everybody else, you can donate $8.50 in honor of Mr Player (or any amount you’re able to). C’mon, every bit helps. https://t.co/Pa41ODtGDJ #GP85

— Mark Immelman (@mark_immelman) November 1, 2020

Happy 85th Birthday, @garyplayer!

Please donate to https://t.co/5GBUgsfIaB in honor of the Black Knight’s birthday! #GP85 pic.twitter.com/yqYUOodCKF

— Hally Leadbetter (@hallylead) November 1, 2020

Please consider a donation in honor of @garyplayer‘s birthday, every bit helps. https://t.co/vO1JS4vHjG #GP85 #GolfFightsCancer #LetsDoThis https://t.co/2ter94BFS1

— Michael Breed (@MichaelBreed) November 1, 2020

Happy birthday to the great @garyplayer! ?
I’ll be donating to @golfightscancer for Gary’s birthday! If you’d like to join the fight by donating $8.50 (or more!) in honor of Gary’s 85th. You can donate here: https://t.co/lJahENcR70 #GP85 #GolfFightsCancer

— Hank Haney (@HankHaney) November 1, 2020

Happy birthday @garyplayer! I’ll be supporting @golfightscancer for Gary’s birthday, and challenge anyone who’s able to give to join the fight by donating $8.50 (or more!) in honor of Gary’s 85th. Donate here: https://t.co/pgFAcA5WR8 #GP85 #GolfFightsCancer pic.twitter.com/HIXklSelS0

— Nadia Comaneci (@nadiacomaneci10) November 1, 2020

Happy birthday @garyplayer! Happy to support @golfightscancer in your honor, and I challenge anyone who’s able to join the fight by donating $8.50 for Gary’s 85th. ?https://t.co/FMOrwsFDuN #GP85 #GolfFightsCancer pic.twitter.com/SrWIwLGdDg

— Kevin Anderson (@KAndersonATP) November 1, 2020

Happy Birthday @garyplayer! Great way to celebrate 85 incredible years. #GolfFightsCancer https://t.co/Y3KpjOFjpv

— Rory McIlroy (@McIlroyRory) November 1, 2020

Happy 85 years young Mr Player! Such a great way to celebrate, let’s fight this together?? @garyplayer #GolfFightsCancer https://t.co/vX9TE4I7uQ

— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) November 1, 2020

I’ll do a combo of 85 sit ups, squats, deadlifts and jumps in your ?honour! ?? https://t.co/y3kcYqrTDm

— Sir Nick Faldo (@NickFaldo006) October 31, 2020

You can make your own donation on the Golf Fights Cancer Gary Player page and use the corresponding hashtags, #GolfFightsCancer and #GP85, to spread awareness to the fight.

The post Gary Player celebrates his 85th birthday and rallies golf stars to raise money to fight cancer appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.