Player Receives David Marr Award

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(March 30, 2002) -- Ask Gary Player about Dave Marr and the praise rolls out of his mouth as pure as a five-footer falling smoothly in the hole.

In Houston, to receive the 2002 Dave Marr Award, the South African native had nothing but the highest of praise for the one of Houston's favored sons.

"I played the TOUR with Dave for many years and he was a fine golfer. Anytime you win the PGA Championship, you have proved you are very good," said Player, who holds the distinction of being one of only five golfers to win all four of golfs majors tournaments-- the Masters, the U.S. Open, the British Open the PGA Championship. "Besides being a great golfer, he was a fine gentleman who had always had the game of golf -- the greatest game ever invented-- at heart. He was a great diplomat who ended his career as a very, very good golf commentator. He put so much back into the game that it is safe to say he was one of the great contributors to the sport."

Shell Oil commissioned the Dave Marr Memorial Award in honor of Marr, the longtime PGA player and broadcaster, who passed away on October 5, 1997, after losing his battle with stomach cancer. During the 1965 season, Marr won the PGA championship, played on the Ryder Cup team and was named PGA Player of the Year.

He served in broadcasting for ABC, NBC and the BBC and hosted "Shell's Wonderful World of Golf" from 1993-1997.

Player's name will also be added to a planned memorial wall to be erected at the Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston, where Marr used to wait for pick-up games as a kid.

Previous winners of the award are Gene Sarazen, Byron Nelson, Jack Nicklaus and Judy Rankin.

The admiration from Player wasn't just reserved for Marr. The 21-time PGA TOUR and 19-time SENIOR PGA TOUR champion was as hyped about the contributions Shell Oil has made to both the game of golf and the greater Houston Community.

"Look at Shell Oil and the tournament they are playing this week. They have contributed an incredible $23 million to Houston charities," said the 66-year-old legend. "Shell has been a great friend of golf and what they have done here is remarkable. On the PGA TOUR as a whole, it will not be long until we reach $1 billion dollars to charity. That's more money than two other professional sports put together."

He finished by giving The Woodlands, the site of this week's Shell Houston Open at the TPC at the Woodlands, a glowing endorsement.

"The Woodlands has special memories for me. I came here and Andy Bean said, "You little sawed-off runt, your not going to beat me," remembers Player, who earned his last TOUR title in the 1978 Houston Open. "I shot 64 in the final round to win.

"I design golf courses and The Woodlands is a remarkable place with six golf courses. You don't see any houses and all the course are beautifully done."

In accepting the award with the enthusiasm and positive attitude that was Marr's trademark, Player proved to be more than worthy of the honor.