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From South Africa To Bethpage: A Young Star's Dream Come True

South African James Kamte realized a golf dream Monday when Tiger Woods made good on a promise to practice with him. (John Mummert/USGA)

By Phillip Howley

Farmingdale, N.Y. - Give Tiger Woods credit for one thing: He is a man of his word.

Two weeks ago at the Memorial Tournament, Woods dared South African pro James Kamte. The game's No. 1 – who went on to win that Memorial – told Kamte if he qualified for the U.S. Open, he could play a practice round with Woods at Bethpage.

Kamte did his part, firing an 11-under-par 133 at a sectional qualifier in Columbus, Ohio, to tie for third and secure a spot in his first major championship. When he arrived at the Black Course on Monday, Woods was waiting to hold up his end of the bargain as well.

“He was happy for me,” said Kamte, who played with Woods early on Monday. “He told me, 'I knew you could do it.' ”

The past few days have been quite the thrill for Kamte. Having met Jack Nicklaus in South Africa in 2006, Kamte wrote the legendary “Golden Bear” to ask for an invite to this year's Memorial. The wish was granted for Kamte, who has won three times on the Sunshine Tour in South Africa and once on the Asian Tour.

Better yet, the long-hitting Kamte was invited to play a practice round with Nicklaus early in the week. And although he missed the cut at Muirfield Village, Kamte rebounded to pass U.S. Open muster a few days later. Thus, in a matter of two weeks, he has played rounds with arguably the two greatest players in the history of the game, two players who have accounted for 32 major championships.

“It was great,” said Kamte, 26. “We had fun and I learned a lot from [Woods]. It was probably one of the best days I've had on a golf course. Last week, I played with Jack and this week I played with Tiger. It's unbelievable.”

Kamte was so excited about playing with Woods, he left his cell phone sitting on a table in the player's dining room on Monday morning. “I was in a rush, didn't want to be late because I was playing with Tiger ... at least I made it,” he said, with a laugh.

“I learned a lot. I'm there to learn. Tiger told me to just relax and hit the golf ball and that's what I did.”

The 5' 7" Kamte is a quick study. Growing up in a South Africa that was racially segregated under the rules of apartheid, he did not play golf as a child. It wasn't until the oppressive government policy was abolished in 1994 that a black kid such as Kamte could entertain the notion of playing a game essentially exclusive to whites.

“It was too risky to go out and do something like play golf,” Kamte said. “It was scary at the time and I didn't know what was going on. I was a kid. So when I see that my parents are scared, then it wasn't something I wanted to get involved with.”

Kamte played soccer instead and became a highly-regarded striker. But he always was infatuated with golf. At the age of 12, with apartheid eradicated, James and his brother Ivan became caddies at a local club. Two years later, he started playing and shortly thereafter, entered his first tournament. He won by 18 strokes.

After graduating from high school, Kamte joined a golf university in Johannesburg and began training seriously. With the financial support of the Ernie Els Foundation, which helped pay for equipment and entrance fees, Kamte began playing tournaments regularly.

Els set up the foundation to encourage South African youngsters to play golf, a support system Kamte is especially grateful for.

“I came from his foundation and he was there all the time, helping guide me up along the way,” Kamte said. “Ernie has been a big part of me getting to where I am today.”

Where Kamte is today has many South Africans excited. The country has had a number of golf stars - Gary Player, Ernie Els, Nick Price and others. But it has never had a black player rise to such heights. Player, for one, emphasizes the significance of that.

“We need a Tiger Woods of South Africa,” Player told the New York Daily News recently. “Everybody is dying to see a black champion from South Africa.”

Kamte doesn't think about such things. He has his hands full just trying to compete against the best players in the world. He doesn't need any more incentive, or pressure. “I've got no idea what it would mean,” Kamte said. “I don't read newspapers. I don't want to know what's going on. It's up to the public to decide what it would mean.”

For the time being, playing with Jack Nicklaus, playing with Tiger Woods, playing in the U.S. Open at Bethpage is plenty for Kamte to absorb. Thank you very much.

Phillip Howley is a freelance writer whose work has previously appeared on www.usopen.com.

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