Dylan Naidoo triumphs at SA Open 62 years after Indian-origin Papaw Sewgolum’s victory underneath apartheid regulation

Dylan Naidoo’s victory within the South African Open on Sunday was the primary win by a participant of Indian heritage within the event and achieved on the course the place one of many uglier incidents in apartheid sport performed out a long time earlier.

The 27-year-old Naidoo took the most important prize in South African golf in a playoff in opposition to Laurie Canter of England on the Durban Nation Membership, the place one other South African golfer of Indian ethnicity as soon as needed to gather his prize within the rain as a result of racial legal guidelines meant he was not allowed within the membership home.

Papaw Sewgolum received the Natal Open on the identical course 62 years in the past after overcoming a collection of humiliations.

Portrait of Sewsunker “Papwa” Sewgolum (1928-1978) from South Africa of ethnic Indian cleans his golf footwear earlier than competing within the 1961 South African Open Golf event on twentieth March 1961 on the East London Golf Membership in Durban, South Africa. In 1961, Sewsunker Sewgolum was the primary non-white particular person to participate within the South African Open ending the event in second place. In 1963 he was the primary non-white particular person to win an occasion on the South Africa circuit, profitable the Natal Open.
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He had learnt the game as caddy on the membership, one of many nation’s most well-known programs, after being given a set of second-hand golf equipment and allowed to play on a Monday together with the opposite caddies.

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Such was his apparent expertise {that a} benefactor sponsored him to play in Europe, the place he obtained an entry to The British Open and received the 1959 Dutch Open. He was prohibited from taking part in professionally in South Africa, nonetheless, the place apartheid legal guidelines allowed no mixing of race teams in sporting arenas.

After stress from members, he was allowed to enter the 1963 Natal Open on the Durban Nation Membership underneath strict situations, compelled to alter in a minivan and eat his meals with the Black caddies as he was not allowed into the clubhouse, which was for white individuals solely.

When he received in opposition to the chances, the prize giving ceremony that ought to have taken place inside due to the poor climate was carried out exterior within the rain.

Sewgolum, who died aged 48 in 1978 from ill-health, was a sporting hero amongst South Africa’s massive Indian inhabitants, who have been handled as second-class residents within the apartheid period.

Indians first arrived as labourers throughout the late 1800s and Durban is one the biggest ethnically Indian-populated cities exterior of India.

Sewsunker “Papwa” Sewgolum (1928-1978) from South Africa of ethnic Indian origin watches his drive shot off the first tee throughout the 1961 South African Open Golf event on twentieth March 1961 on the East London Golf Membership in Durban, South Africa.
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Naidoo loved intensive assist on the course.

“This can be a particular second for me, it’s a particular second for everyone right here in Durban – it’s overwhelming,” he mentioned.

“I mentioned yesterday it felt like I used to be Tiger Woods. There have been so many individuals following me and that gave me vitality. I can’t thank everybody sufficient for popping out.”

Naidoo’s triumph was made extra poignant by the very fact he’s a graduate of a improvement programme which carries Sewgolum’s title and is aimed toward serving to younger golfers from deprived communities attain the skilled ranks.