SOUTH AFRICAN LETTER ON N.Z. GOLF TEAM

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28973, 14 August 1959, Page 12

SOUTH AFRICAN LETTER ON N.Z. GOLF TEAM

A copy of a letter from the South African Sports Association to the South African Golf Union on the selection of the New Zealand golf team to tour South Africa later this year has been sent to Mr R. Thompson, of Christchurch. The letter, which deplores the possible exclusioin of Walter Godfrey, the New Zealand amateur champion from the team on the grounds of racial discrimination in South Africa. was written in reply to a statement by the South African Golf Union which appeared in the “Evening Post,” Port Elizabeth, last month. A copy of the letter has been sent to the New Zealand Golf Association. The letter says: “The South African Sports Association, a co-ordinating nonracial sports body supported by eight national spqrting bodies, welcomes your statement in the ‘Evening Post.’ Port Elizabeth, of July 4 on the issue of Mr Walter Godfrey, the New Zealand amateur golf champion, who may be excluded from the New Zealand golf team which is due to visit our country shortly to participate in the Commonwealth golf tournament. “As a body which has unanimously adopted a resolution opposing all tours to and from South Africa which are conducted under conditions of racial discrimination, we welcome the report in which you are quoted as saying that no approach, official or unofficial, has been made by New Zealand to South Africa about Godfrey; that your union would not dream of interfering in New Zealand affairs; that had Godfrey been included in the team the S.A.G.U. would have done its best to make him feel at home; that the South African Golf Union is not involved in the exclusion of Walter Godfrey from the New Zealand team which is to tour the Union.

“Hinted Delicately” “We are particularly grateful for this clarification since newspapers have reported both in New Zealand and South Africa that 'it was hinted delicately to Godfrey that he would not be welcomed in South Africa.’

“The responsibility for the exclusion of Godfrey, if it is to occur, is now placed squarely on the shoulders of the New Zealand association and Godfrey himself. We trust that it is not yet too late for Mr Godfrey to take his rightful place in his country’s team and to vindicate himself as a champion and as a true sportsman who recognises ability and not racial origin as a criterion in sport. “Mr Godfrey has the opportunity of inspiring many nonwhite golfers who are at present excluded from the natippal sport, but who have made considerable progress in spite of this. The performances of Mr Sewasunker Sewgolam and Mr Edward Johnson-Sedibe (who secured an opportunity which might well have been given to many much more talented African golfers) are sufficient proof of this. “It is our earnest hope that Mr Godfrey will not be induced by intimidation or appeals to his racially - characteristic courtesy to forgo the opportunity which is rightfully his.”

On April 23. two months before the New Zealand team was chosen, Godfrey announced that he was not available for selection. Godfrey, a quarter-caste Maori, said he acted on advice from his mother to avoid any embarrassment over South Africa’s colourbar policy. Godfrey said in a letter to the Auckland Golf Association that “although I cannot go to South Africa. I will be working flat out to make the trip to the world championship in America next year.”

The New Zealand team of six was chosen on June 19.