REMEMBER THE NAME: JAMES KAMTE,
FIRST BLACK SOUTH AFRICAN ON
EURO TOUR FOR 31 YEARS

FROM THE SOUTH AFRICAN PGA WEBSITE
It has taken more than three decades for South Africa to produce a young black international campaigner; 31 years for someone to follow in the footsteps of 1976 French Open winner, Vincent Tshabalala, and make it onto the European Tour circuit.
For South Africans, the long wait is over.
Earlier this week a humble young player from the Eastern Cape wrote a new chapter in South African golf history when he earned his passage to Europe with the 23rd card at European Tour Final Qualifying School at San Roque.
On hearing the news that James Kamte earned his card for the 2008 European Tour season, nine-time Major winner, Gary Player, was elated.
“When I met James, I told him he had the ability to go all the way,” said Player from Arabella, where he is hosting the Coca-Cola Charity Championship.
“James has the temperament, the personality and determination of a champion. He will be a wonderful ambassador for South Africa. His achievements will open a floodgate of talent among the next generation.”
The road to Europe has been a rocky and eventful adventure, paved both with hardships and good fortune.
From the obscurity of a Queenstown township, this former caddie has risen into the big time and with it, the glitz, glamour, sponsorships and pressure that has come with being South Africa’s rising black star.
But for "The Cobra," everything is about right now… owning a title on the Sunshine Tour, owning a European Tour card, getting married to his long-time fiancé Nicky and being a father to six-month old Tumi.
Kamte travels with a signature smile, almost touching the corners of his eyes, and the unwavering faith that this journey is all part of his destiny.
“I have kept my trust in God and I allow him to guide this journey,” said Kamte. “I have always maintained that, as long as you put in the hard work, God will do the rest.
“The biggest lesson I’ve learnt this past year is that God picks the time. No matter how hard I work, how much I trust, I needed to learn that He decides the where and when.”