Vincent Tshabalala

Vincent Vesele Tshabalala (16 March 1942 – 3 June 2017) was a South African professional golfer. He won a number of tournaments organised by the non-white Tournament Players Association and in 1976 he won the French Open.

Early life Tshabalala was born on 16 March 1942 to Philip and Maria Tshabalala in Rietvlei and had eight siblings. He attended George Goch school and shortly thereafter completed an apprenticeship as a mechanic. Tshabalala was introduced to golf at Rietvlei Golf Club, where he worked as a caddie after school, and saved up for golf clubs to pursue his passion for golf, a sport that was historically a white sport.

Professional career When he turned professional it was with a mixed set of clubs bought one by one. Tshabalala was from the Zulu ethnic group.

Tshabalala started competing professionally in the 1960s on the Non-European Tour, where he had six wins, four second-place finished and third place once. He was barred from the Southern African Tour in his prime during the 1970s as a result of apartheid; however with assistance from Gary Player he gained entry to tournaments on the European Tour. He made his European Tour debut at the Madrid Open at Puerto de Hierro on 28 April 1976, finishing tied for 45th place. The following week (on 9 May 1976), he claimed a shock victory in the Open de France at Le Touquet while pulling his own bag, finishing two strokes ahead of Salvador Balbuena, winning £3,570. He was the first black man to win on the European Tour. That season, he played nine events and would finish joint 7th in the Sumrie-Bournemouth Better-Ball (with John O'Leary), 17th at the Italian Open and joint 21st in the Piccadilly Medal.

Later in 1976, Tshabalala was selected to represent South Africa with Gary Player in the 1976 World Cup but refused for political reasons. He finished in the top-10 10 times and in the top-15 16 times, counting both regular and senior events. In 1982, Tshabalala became a member of the PGA and as president of the PGA in 1990, he played an integral part in uniting the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) and Tournament Players Association (TGA).

Tshabalala played on the European Seniors Tour from its formation in 1992. He was twice runner-up; behind John Fourie in the 1992 Belfast Telegraph Irish Senior Masters and behind Maurice Bembridge in the 1996 Hippo Jersey Seniors. He is buried at Avalon cemetery in Soweto.

Awards and honors

In 2003, Tshabalala earned a certificate of recognition from City of Johannesburg for his dedication to overcome racial barriers in sport and a golf award from SABC Sports for his excellent contribution to the promotion and development of golf as the premier sport in South Africa. In 2005, he earned a lifetime achievement award from Union of Golf Societies In 2010, Tshabalala was bestowed a Presidential Sports Award from President Thabo Mbeki In 2010, he was also inducted to the Southern Africa Golf Hall of Fame

Professional wins (9) European Tour wins (1)

Non-European Tour wins (6) 1965 South African Non-European Open 1971 South African Non-European Open 1972 Transvaal Non-European Open, Natal Non-European Open 1977 South African Non-European Open 1983 South African Non-European Open

Other wins (2)

Results in major championships Note: Tshabalala only played in The Open Championship. CUT = missed the half-way cut "T" = tied