Quick Facts
Biography
John Louis Bland (born 22 September 1945) is a South African professional golfer who has won more than thirty professional tournaments around the world.
Bland was born in Johannesburg. Turning professional in 1969, he was a leading player on the Southern African Tour for over twenty years. He spent the northern summers playing on the European Tour, where he won twice. He was a more consistent contender than this tally might suggest, as he finished in the top-20 on the Order of Merit six times.
After reaching the age of fifty in 1995, Bland played mainly on the United States-based Champions Tour. He won five tournaments in this venue, including four in 1996, when he finished third on the money list. He has also won three tournaments on the European Senior Tour.
Bland is a friend of fellow South African golfer Gary Player and regularly plays in the Gary Player Invitational charity golf series to raise money for children's causes around the world.