Non-European Golf and the SA Golf Association
Non-European Golf Forging Ahead
NON-EUROPEAN toll ls forging ahead. Beaufort West as its own union as well as its competitions, whilst at Port Elizabeth the secton there has had its championship. In Durban, lndian golf ls becoming more popular, so also is the game amongst the Bantu's on the Rand.
- SA Golf April 1948
South African Non-European Golf Association Formed
A South African Golf Association for Non-Europeans has been formed with headquarters at Bloemfontein. The aims of the Association are to foster interest in golf among Non-Europeans, to improve the standard of play, to inculcate the spirit of sportsmanship and to encourage inter-provincial competition. There are several district organisations - Eastern Cape Province, Griqualand West, Western Cape, Transvaal Bantu G.U., Natal G.U., and Basutoland G.U. An annual South African championship tournament will take place at Easter-time, at which a general meeting of the association will be held. One of the chief organisers in the new tournament is Mr. Peter Louw, now stationed at Worcester. He did much to encourage golf in the Cape Peninsula. One outcome of his work was the formation of the Western Province Golf Union.
- SA Golf November 1948
Annual Meeting SA (N-E) GU
THE South African Non-European Golf Union at their annual meeting after the annual championship held over the Milnerton Golf Club's course, decided that the next championship would take place in Durban next year.
The officials were with one exception re-elected: President, A. Maqubela (Tvl.); v.-p., Peter Louw (W.P.); sec., D. Phala (O.F.S.): asst., S. Mnisi (Tvl.); asst. treas., D. R. Mashego (Tvl.). There are now five provincial unions affiliated to the national body, with promise of two more. This advance is due chiefly to Peter Louw. Western Province, whose normal duties take him around the country.
The annual meeting lasted one whole day and did not rise until the early hours of the next day. An object lesson in enthusiasm.
- SA Golf February 1960
Progress of Non-European Golf
IT is amazing to note the advance of Non-European golf in South Africa since the time, at the beginning of last year, when the Milnerton Golf Club made history by allowing the South African Non-European Golf Association to use the club's course for the national Non-European championship meeting. The officials and competitors at that meeting behaved in an exemplary manner, and won the admiration thereby of all with whom they came in contact. The same thing happened at the Kloof Country Club and Royal Durban Golf Club early this year, the two clubs who were kind enough to be host for the second meeting to be held over European courses ... only more so!
What has happened so far in this connection is making it very easy for the Non-European golfers in the arranging of similar facilities in the Free State for next year's meeting. Mr. Peter Lottw, vicepresident of the South African Non-European Golf As- sociation, whose organising ability has put Non-European golf where it is to-day, has received many most friendly and helpful letters from golf administrators in the Free State. A course will be found somewhere; indeed, before negotiations are complete, it seems pretty obvious that there might be the same embarrassment that occurred in connection with this year's meeting in Natal - an overflow of offers!
One and all in the Free State who have been approached, from Mr. Henri Marquard, president of the Union, downwards, have been very kind indeed. So also have the members of the executive of the South Africa Golf Union. There has not been a dissentient voice: and the affairs of the Non-European body, and the manner in which they conduct their affairs, have been examined with intense closeness. There was nothing to which any exception could be taken. Many good people have given money to help the Non-European golfers along the way. That money has been used with discretion, and the officials can produce balance sheets that would satisfy the most painstaking auditor, were he even armed with a microscope!
- SA Golf June 1961
Help for Non-European Golf
MANY golfers and golf organizations are showing their generosity in order to help along the Non-Europeans in South Africa. Recent donations have been made to their national association by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club and the South African Golf Union. Another helpful gesture was that made by Mr. Douglas Wilson, former president of the S.A.G.U. and well-known East London and Border golf administrator. Mr. Peter Louw, vicepresident of the S.A. (Non-European) Golf Association, had written a letter of thanks to Mr. Wilson for what he had done in order to make the going easy for Papwa during the South African Championship meeting at East London, and in returning thanks for the letter Mr. Wilson had enclosed a cheque in order to express still further his desire to help Non-European golf.
Edward Johnson-Sedibe, the African from Johannesburg, who has taken part in several tournaments in Britain this past two years, has been appointed assistant professional to the Royal Winchester Golf Club.
W. Manie, an East London Non-European golfer, worked his passage in order to take part in the British Open at Birkdale this month.
- SA Golf July 1961
Donation from SAGU to SA(N-E)GA
THE South African Golf Union has given R50 to the South African Non-European Golf Association, at the same expressing the wish that the Association will go from strength to strength and so help to forward the interests of golf among the Non-Europeans.
Mr. F. L. Cannon, former president of the Western Province Golf Union, has become a patron of the Association. Some years ago he gave a trophy in order to encourage the players.
Mr. Reg Bacon, president of the Eastern Province Golf Union, is approaching the Port Elizabeth golf clubs with the view of obtaining the courtesy of one of the courses for the national Non-European Championship early in January.
- SA Golf April 1962
Non-European Golf Circuit
THE Non-European golfers had a small circuit at the end of December, and the beginning of this month, all played on European courses.
First there was the Natal Non-European Championship at Kloof C.C., December 25-26. This was followed by the S.W. District Non-European Championship at Oudtshoorn on December 28-29, for the arrangement of which Mr. Carl Kleinschmidt was so largely responsible. And then the South African Non-European Championship at Walmer C., Port Elizabeth.
Some of the Natal golfers were able to all three tournaments.
- SA Golf January 1963
Venues for SA Non-European Championship
The next South African non-European championship will be held over the Kimberly Golf Club's course from December 29 this year to January 1, 1970. The original intention was to stage the tournament from January 5 to January 8, but on reconsideration these dates were found to be unsuitable.
The 1971 championship should, according to the roster, be played in the Transvaal but the South African Non-European Golf Association will make representations to the Transvaal Golf Union to allow the venue to be switched to Eastem Province in which case the event will be played at Walmer Golf Club.
According to Mr. Peter Louw, the tireless worker for golf, attempts are being made by the S.A. non-European Association to stage a second tournament sometime this year.
-SA Golf June 1969
Organisation of Non-White Golf Criticised
Plans for non-White participation in White golf tournaments, made viable by the Government’s new sports policy, have been frustrated over the past few months by the chaotic state of non-White administration.
Both the South African Professional Golfers’ Association and the amateur South African Golf Union would like to see as many non-whites as possible take part in major South African tournaments.
A pre-requisite of course is that these events be declared “open and international” by the Government. But the problem is far more complex than that.
In the first place leadership of non-white bodies is fragmented so that there is no single body controlling the non-white game. The South African Golf Union have said they are prepared to help non-whites “in every possible way", but that to earn such support the non-whites would have to put their house in order and get rid of the splinter groups which exist in their midst.
The other problem is the obscure distinction among non-whites between amateurs and professionals. Relatively little control is exercised to separate the two codes and a major problem is that, unlike their White equivalents, the non-whites do not have separate bodies for the paid and amateur ranks.
The S.A.G.U. say that if the non-whites can form two separate bodies with proper constitutions. The White organisation will help them to get golf courses and to play in “open international” events. They would also assist the professionals in getting sponsors for their tournaments.
- SA Golf October 1971
Non-White Golf - Various Items of Interest
Local Rules for Bantu Golfers
-Grahamstown
FROM Peter Bryant, one of Grahamstown’s leading players, comes the news that the local native golfers were holding their annual championships on their own course and that their secretary asked if his firm would run off some copies of their rules for distribution to the competitors. Apart from correcting a few errors in spelling, these copies were run off as per the original draft.
Before reprinting these rules it is better to explain that Rules 6 and 7 have been included because, owing to the lack of putters and the roughness of the "greens", the players have to putt either with the back of a club, or with the back of the hand.
The rules are definitely entertaining. Here they are:-
GRAHAMSTOWN TANTYI BANTU GOLF CLUB
All the official matches of this club will be played under the following rules. A player failing to accept these rules is not allowed to compete in any official match of the said Club.
RULES:
- 1. A ball lying in any ground under repair, must be lifted and dropped not near the hole, no penalty, e.g. like Zikheleke.
- 2. A ball lying in a hole made by an animal must be lifted and dropped within a club's length behind such a hole, no penalty.
- 3. A ball lying in a hazard must be played. lf a player lifted that ball or dropped it out, stroke gone.
- 4. Before lifting any ball, a player must notify an opponent or a marker.
- 5. A ball on the putting green may be lifted and clean.
- 6. No player is allowed to use the front part of his club on the putting green. A penalty followed by a stroke gone to that payer.
- 7. A player must not use a palm of his hand in a putting green. Doing so, that player will loose a stroke.
- 8. When the results of a hole has been determined, player must immediately leave the green. N.B.: A player, whilst looking for a ball, must allow other matches coming up to pass them. After signalling the former should not continue playing until the latter is out of range.
- 9. Players must at all times play without undue delay.
- 10. A player using vulgar language on a course, the club is allowed to punish that player if the case is proved after discussion of at in their committee. N.B.: It ls the Committee that will punish that player.
- SA Golf 1951
Negro Golfers Gaoled
SOME time ago six Negroes had gaol sentences imposed on them for trespassing on a golf course in Greensboro, U.S.A. Apparently, in the absence of a course official, they had placed the money for green fees on a counter and had then gone on to the course for a round. After playing three holes they were ejected, being told that only members could play. They claimed that white persons were permitted to play even though they were not members. The course was built by the city of Greensboro, 65 per cent. of the funds coming from federal funds, and was then leased to a private party. The United States Supreme Court has agreed to review the conviction.
- 1959
Golf in the Raw
An esteemed Natal South Coast golfer ("Topsy") writes to tell us of two piccanin caddies who after their midday swim in the Southbroom lagoon were playing "golf". Their clubs were mid-ribs of palm leaves and their golf balls palm nuts. Three sticks were set up round the lagoon, indicating where the holes were. "But above all I wish you could have seen their mannerisms-obviously modelled on their pet Bwana-their power drives, the wrist play, the disgust after a bad shot, the putting stances. Everything. I cursed because I was not hidden in the bush with a cine and telescopic lens. I genuinely believe I could have made a Film Festival winner! They’d got the lot."
"And what pleased me so hugely was that after all the practice swings, mimicry, etc., they cracked the old palm nut as to the manner bom, with perfect timing, as far as any man born of woman could hit a palm nut with a palm-leaf mid-rib, on sea-sand, in the same set of circumstances."
This is a companion picture to the caddies who use bent wire for clubs and bluegum seed-pods for golf balls.
"Topsy" finished her yarn by relating how sad she was to part with a piccanin caddie who had become her servant. "He’d have remained my faithful servant for life, even if he was a little ashamed of my golf!"
The Southbroom course is of 18 holes, and is good, with an airfield to boot. Some time ago one of the country members (Zululand sugar planter) had the fine idea of trying out one of the fairways as a landing ground. It worked comfortably on the seventeenth. Since then the old eighteenth fairway has been ironed outland has become a recognised landing ground. The club has been presented with a wind sock which flutters gaily next to the clubhouse. "Topsy" reports that the arrival of a plane is heralded by a crash from her kitchen where the maid drops everything in order to dash to the front verandah to watch the landing.
- SA Golf: February 1961
Saying "Thank You"
A WHILE ago the St. Michaels (Natal) pro., Mr. R`on Burd, received a letter from an African golfer asking for books on golf. Mr. Burd sent him a roneo edition of his “Basic Golf Principles”. The African was very grateful for the gift, and said “Thank you” in the following terms:
"Dear Sir, Thank you for your letter dated 26/7/63 and in reply thanks for your advices, I have now that you have no book for sales. Your just a teaching golf professional."
"That book of yours I will never forgotten it. I was poor in putting, but now I am rich. When my three or two its on, I am just now its in, whether its short or long."
"One thing is this the Lord may bless you. In Sotho we have words who says, Hola o be o Kgokgobe. Be old and older than mountains."
“Whith best Whishes.”
-SA Golf: November 1963
The Most Important Circuit in our History
South Africa is struggling to build a professional circuit of international repute has in recent years put up prize-money which is significant by all standards outside of the United States, but in its efforts to consolidate and project the Country as an established stopping-off point on the world circuit. at least in the minds of some of the best players, there is still a long way to go.
In this context the season beginning with the Professional Golfers' Association championship at Hudle Park on November 24 is the most important in the history of the professional game.
For the first time in a tournament field there will be players of mixed race - several non-White players from South Africa, including Indians and Africans; an American Negro, Lee Elder; a Chinaman from Formosa, Lu Liang Huan and possibly a Japanese.
It is vitally important, even if their appearance is confined to only one tournament, that the world of is satisfied that these players can take part with dignity, and that, although their intent is utterly professional, they are seen to derive no little enjoyment from the experience.
This is simply, first, an exercise in human relationships in which the players themselves are well versed and which the galleries, if they wish to maintain any sporting contact with anybody from overseas, whatever his colour, must enter without reserve.
- SA Golf: November 1971
GOLF’S BREAKTHROUGH
While this magazine retains its strict and sincere political policy, based on the belief that politics and sport do not mix, nor should they be made to; we applaud the recent political breakthrough announced by the South African Sports Minister Dr. Koornhof that all racial barriers on the South African pro golf tour were to be lifted. We feel it fitting that golf should be the sport chosen for the first complete blanket breakthrough, for it is possibly the greatest sport in the world, and it is also a sport where black and white people of golf have been integrated since the game was first introduced to this country more than a century ago.
Whether the fact that both the Prime Minister and the Sports Minister are golfers had anything to do with the decision we don’t know . What we do know is that by removing all barriers of race and making merit the strict yardstick by which a man‘s qualification is measured, golf has become the first major sport to win the battle of politics.
In a year when South Africa holds the World Cup of golf and one where PGA Tournament Director Brian Henning has announced new record highs in sponsorship,the news comes as a massive triumph for the men who strive to keep our head above the often heavy and troubled political waters.
TED PARTRIDGE
Editor
- SA Golf September 1975
Entries of SA Golfers Turned Down
A South African professional golfer, for the first time to our knowledge, has been refused permission to play in a tournament because he is a South African.
Sally Little was persuaded not to put in an entry for the British Amateur championship last year because the organisers feared demonstrations.
But now Bobby Cole’s entry in the Volvo tournament in Sweden next month has been turned down.
The Tournament Director, Mr. Tom Liden, informed George Blumberg, who was acting on behalf of Cole, of the news in a cable which read: “Since Cole is from South Africa we are unable to have him enter our tournament. Sorry”.
- SA Golf October 1971
A Non-White Professional Golfers' Association Formed
The announcement that a non-White Professional Golfers’ Association is to be formed will be welcomed by everybody in the game. Golf has 5 growing following among the non-Whites and it has become imperative that the game be put on a sound administrative footing.
It is to be hoped that golf will not fall into the same trap that some of the other sports set for themselves by forming a multitude of associations and societies, each claiming to be the “real” administrating body and lashing out at every opportunity at all other bodies. This modus operandi has caused many who would have liked to help to shy away from the confusion and also hampered communications between the White and non-White bodies. Golf must avoid this at all costs.
- SA Golf: August 1971