Where are the black golfers?

Johannesburg - While the hosting of the South African Open at Glendower Golf Club went off without a hitch, James Kamte says he was disappointed the galleries did not feature more black faces.

The four-time winner on the Sunshine Tour did not mince his words when asked how he felt about the crowds that came out to the Edenvale course in the co-sanctioned European and Sunshine Tour event.

"There's a lack of development in South Africa when it comes to golf," Kamte said on Sunday.

"Unfortunately with the gallery, golf in South Africa for the black people... started off very late."

The real key to development in the local game lay in the support base, and Kamte believed it would still take more time before golf watchers became more representative of the country.

"It was not something we were allowed to do or play.

"I'm sure it will still take a little bit of time because golf is a game of patience. Probably now it's the right time to get the young kids that are growing up and put them on the golf course."

Kamte called on government to help out.

"That could happen but at the end of the day that costs money.

"If the government can come alive and become involved it will be very good for South Africa."

Gary Player, the nation's most successful golfer ever, hailed Kamte as 'the South African Tiger Woods'.

Kamte said while he had not quite lived up to the compliment of the Black Knight, his words had served as motivation for the 31-year-old.

"Gary, what he said was pretty true.

"It actually made me concentrate more, especially when the bigger events come up. I'm just trying to follow in the footsteps of all the great South African golfers."