Let Me Play: The Sewshanker ‘Papwa’ Sewgolum Story

Papwa Sewgolum, against all odds, won the Dutch Open playing in only his second ‘white’ tournament, and a total of three times in four attempts. Then after being allowed to play in the Natal Open, he demolished a top field, BUT was presented with his trophy in the rain while the others players watched from the clubhouse igniting a worldwide backlash leading to South Africa being banned from the Olympics, whilst Papwa became the symbol of the anti-apartheid sport movement.

Again allowed to play in the Natal Open he beat the world number 1, Gary Player, head-to-head, only for the apartheid government, after a failed assassination attempt, to ban him from all tournaments in South Africa, and then withhold his passport to prevent him playing abroad.

This book is written in a popular, conversational style. It’s easily understood by those who don’t know much about golf, yet the book’s message is of hope and perseverance and in so doing, creates a black golfing hero to inspire the youth.