Baker-Finch Joins Black Knight International


Australian Ian Baker-Finch, who has served as Gary Player's Captain's Assistant for the last three Presidents Cup matches, has joined Black Knight International as an international ambassador for the organization, with a focus on new business ventures.

Baker-Finch, winner of 15 professional titles including the British Open in 1991, joins the company with a number of years experience in the golf course design business. As a result, he brings value and expertise to Gary Player Design's expanding global portfolio.

Of the appointment, Gary Player Group CEO Marc Player said, "We are thrilled that someone of Ian's international stature in golf has joined us as a Gary Player brand ambassador, and I know he shares equally my father's love for the game."

Aside from developing a strong friendship and working relationship during the Presidents Cup matches, Baker-Finch and Player share a passion for promoting the game and have a common philosophy as to how it should be played and respected ¬ both from a personal and business perspective.

Baker-Finch said, "I am both honored and excited to have the opportunity to serve as an international ambassador for the Gary Player Group, and to work alongside Gary, one of my idols and golfing greats. I look forward to working closely with Marc and his team on all of the group's projects, and I am especially thrilled at the future potential for golf course design ventures both in the U.S. and internationally."

In his capacity as a worldwide representative for The Player Group, Baker-Finch's objectives will be geared towards design opportunities - potentially including co-designed projects with Gary Player. Additionally, he plans to provide marketing support for existing Player projects and client relationships. This includes attending golf course grand openings and collaborative corporate outings and charitable initiatives.

Since retiring from competitive golf in 1997, Baker-Finch has worked as a television golf commentator for ESPN and ABC before joining the CBS Sports team in 2007 as analyst for all the network's PGA Tour events.

Since retiring from competitive golf in 1997, Baker-Finch has worked as a television golf commentator for ESPN and ABC before joining the CBS Sports team in 2007 as analyst for all the network's PGA Tour events.

Marc Player believes that Baker-Finch's travels with the PGA Tour and abroad will open the door for exciting new opportunities for the company, particularly in the region of Australasia, a new territory for the Gary Player Group.

"We look forward to working with Ian in promoting our golf course design business, and especially to the markets of Australia and New Zealand. Ian is a golf course designer in his own right, and we hope to collaborate with him on future projects," Marc Player said.

Baker-Finch, his wife Jennie and his two daughters currently reside in North Palm Beach, Fla.