WHEN WE WERE CHAMPIONS

“After beating Gary Player with my reverse grip and winning three Dutch Opens, my government banned me from playing in white tournaments and suspended my passport so I could not compete anywhere.” – SEWSUNKER ‘PAPWA’ SEWGOLUM
“In 1929, I was the first player of colour from South Africa to play in the British Open, yet I was prevented by Colonial policies from playing in tournaments in South Africa due to the colour of my skin.” – RAMNATH ‘BAMBATA’ BOODHUN

“I won the 1976 French Open by pulling my caddy cart, then refused to partner Gary Player in the World Cub, so they barred me from playing in South African tournaments.” – VINCENT TSHABALALA
“I beat Tiger Woods head-to-head to win the World Junior Championship, and Rory Sabbatini when winning the South African Amateur. I was the next great black player destined for the PGA Tour when suddenly I passed away playing in a Canadian Tour event.”

 – LEWIS CHITENGWA
“The apartheid government sent me, together with Nelson Mandela, to Robben Island for 27 years, but I found three golf balls and as a golfer, they gave me hope that we would overcome apartheid.” – ANDREW MLANGENI

Some golfers would go to the extent of using witchcraft to improve their game. One golfer brought a horn to the course, he called the names of the players he wanted to beat. Indian top players would shower before their tee-off times and lie naked on the locker room floor, have their bodies sprinkled with a white powder and rubbed all around their bodies. No one was allowed to touch Vincent Tshabalala’s golf clubs avoiding “Juju” (Black magic). – WITCHCRAFT