December 27, 2019
BY AAGD STAFF
South African retired professional golfer Gary Player is widely considered to be one of the greatest golfers ever. During his career, Player, affectionately known as “The Black Knight” and famously competes while wearing his signature all-black clothing. Player won nine major championships on the regular tour and nine major championships on the Champions Tour. The late professional caddie Alfred “Rabbit” Dyer, caddied for Player for 17 years and together the two icons shared many glorious experiences.
African American Golfer’s Digest reporter John Perry caught up with Player at the 2019 PNC Father Son Challenge, held December 5-8 at the Ritz Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, Fla.
Player took a few minutes to chat about his heartfelt love, and respect for his recently departed looper ‘Rabbit,’ who was a member of the Caddies Hall of Fame.
Dyer was Player’s caddie in 1974 when he won the British Open and he was also the first black caddie to work that particular tournament. Dyer was a caddie in all four major golf tournaments. While Dyer spent most of his career with Player, the list of people he worked with over the years is a long and prestigious one and includes Sam Snead, Lee Trevino, Arnold Palmer, and Chi-Chi Rodriguez to name a few. And that’s just the golfers. Dyer also caddied for presidents Dwight Eisenhower and Gerald Ford. And then there were celebrities like Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra and stunt man Evel Knievel.
Dyer died on Nov. 11, 2019 at the age of 82.
In this poignant interview, Player shares how saddened he was to learn of his beloved former caddy’s death.
Whether it is on his Twitter page (@garyplayer) or his website, GaryPlayer.com, Gary Player lives and breathes his mantra for golf, “Golf is about connecting with and teaching others. Use your golf game to build relationships and to help others improve.”
During his retirement years, Dyer wrote a regular blog, “The Looper Line,” for African Amerian Golfer’s Digest and often called our office to just ‘shoot the breeze.’
Rest in Peace, Alfred.
