At a media briefing to launch the 2006 Nelson Mandela Invitational presented by Coca-Cola, tournament host Gary Player announced the return of South Africa's stars of the world's professional golf tours to the country's premier charity sports event.

Back in the line-up, which features professionals from both the Champions and regular Tours, as well as celebrities and businessmen, are Retief Goosen, Tim Clark and Trevor Immelman.

Speaking from his US home in Palm Beach, Player added that World No 3 Jim Furyk had also been invited and that organisers were awaiting his confirmation. In addition, Sunshine Tour Order of Merit winner Charl Schwartzel and prodigious young talent Thomas Aiken would be in the field, as would 11-time winner on the Ladies' European Tour and captain of the 2007 European Solheim Cup team, Swede Helen Alfredsson.

Among the over-50s who will play in the event that benefits two children's charities in the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund and Gary Player Foundation, Zimbabwean Tony Johnstone will be making a welcome return to South African fairways and he will be joined by Mark McNulty, John Bland, Vincent Tshabalala, former European Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance and South Africa's only major-winning woman Sally Little.

Among the eclectic mix of celebrities, the majority of whom will be announced closer to the tournament, will be Lucas Radebe, 17-year-old Ashleigh Simon, who returns for a third time, and South African gold-medal swimmer Roland Schoeman.

At the same briefing, Executive Director of Coca-Cola South Africa Division Alex Maditsi confirmed Coca-Cola's commitment to the tournament as presenting sponsor for a further five years: "Coca-Cola is very proud to be associated with two icons of South Africa in Nelson Mandela and Gary Player. We are committed to making a real difference in the lives of children in South Africa and the Nelson Mandela Invitational is an ideal way to meet these objectives."

The Nelson Mandela Invitational is now in its seventh year, and has raised close to R20 million for its beneficiary charities, making it South Africa's premier golf charity event.

Some of the celebrities playing golf at the Nelson Mandela Invitational over the years have been: Ronan Keating, Lucas Radebe, Mark Fish, Samuel L Jackson, Trevor Immelman, Gary Player, Joost vd Westhuizen, Retief Goosen, DJ Spoony and Andrew Coltart and Jack Nicklaus.


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