Kamte came through the foundation, as did Louis Oosthuizen, who is doing well on the European tour. One of the most exciting prospects is 20-year-old Prinavin Nelson, like Papwa "an Indian guy from Durban," says van Niekerk. "He's one of the members I'm most proud of. He's dedicated, a very focused youngster and one of the best amateurs in South Africa right now."
Three of the Foundation kids take me out to play a few holes. My companions are Cameron Esau, Tumelo Wesi and Monique Smit. They all want to turn pro. Cameron got into golf because his father happened to see the 1986 Masters on TV. "He loved all that grass and greenery," he says. "So when I came along two years later he decided that we would play golf together." With nowhere to play, they would hit balls in the fields. It would be many years before Cameron set foot on a golf course. Tumelo, an engaging character, has a similar story of humble beginnings. All three have perfect swings.
Cameron, Tumelo and Monique had heard of Papwa, but they didn't know the details of his story. They were either born after apartheid ended, or were too young to remember it, and either way don't have much interest in the old days. I thought of something Gary Player told me: "Mandela taught us to look forward," he said. "He said you cannot live in the past. You cannot have bitterness in your heart. It's like when you play golf -- if you make a bogey, you better forget it and get a birdie on the next hole. There's a great spirit in South Africa. We've made bogeys. We're making birdies now."
As the rain comes down harder, the three hopefuls play on with style and grace, avoiding the hazards, eyeing the far-off targets through the gloom, and swinging confidently toward a different future.
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