Sewsunker "Papwa" Sewgolum was a South Africanprofessional golfer of ethnic Indian origin, who carved a niche for himself in golfing folklore when he became the first golfer of colour to win a provincial open in South Africa. He became a symbol of the sports boycott movement when pictures of him receiving his trophy outdoors in the rain, because, due to apartheid, he was not allowed to enter the clubhouse, were published across the world.
Personal life
Sewgolum began his career as a caddie. He was married to a woman named Suminthra. The pair had five children together.
Career
Sewgolum's was a caddie for amateur golfer Graham Wulff. Witnessing Sewgolum's great talents, Wulff arranged for him to try to qualify for the 1959 Open Championship and participate in the Dutch Open that summer. Sewgolum qualified for the Open Championship when he shot a 71 and won the Dutch Open. He would go on to successfully defend his championship the following year. In 1961, Sewgolum was the first non-white to take part in the South African Open. Just two years after he broke the color barrier he finished second, losing by one shot to AfrikanerRetief Waltman. Later in 1963, he caused a stir when he beat 103 white golfers, including Harold Henning, at the Natal Open. He was the first non-white person to win an event on the South Africa circuit. He also performed admirably later in the summer at the 1963 Open Championship, shooting 71-74-73-72 to finish in solo 13th. Among the many South African golfers at the event, Gary Player was the only one to score better than Sewgolum, beating him by three shots. It was Sewgolum's best ever finish in a major. The next year he won the Dutch Open for the third and final time. He also won the 1964 Cock of the North, an event in Zambia. In 1965, he won the Natal Open for the second time, defeating runner-up Gary Player. Even more famous than his victory, however, was the trophy presentation. Sewgolum was forced to accept the trophy outside of Durban Country Club in the rain. Colored and black people were not allowed in the clubhouse otherwise the club could lose its liquor license. Sewgolum's performance received worldwide attention and was covered by The New York Times. He would return to defend his championship in February 1966 but would finish in fourth place with a score of 292, six behind Player. The following year, in 1967, Sewgolum would nearly win the Dutch Open for the fourth time, finishing two behind England's Peter Townsend. In addition to his achievements in mainstream events, Sewgolum was also the winner of a number of non-white golfing championships in South Africa. Sewgolum would die impoverished in 1978 at the age of 48.
