Kim Swan Pays Tribute To Noel Van Putten
[Written by Kim Swan]
Bermuda says goodbye to one of the final golf pioneer champion golfers who walked through the doors of integrated golf clubs in the late 1960s – Noel Van Putten passed away recently; he planned his departure and said his goodbyes to family and friends
Noel Van Putten was definitely a trailblazing golfer with a self-taught repeatable golf swing and an abundance of self-confidence.
Retired Professor Dr. Jeffrey Sammons, who only met Noel Van Putten during the production of the documentary said, “he was a straightforward shooter who was very opinionated – he told it like he saw it.”
Noel Van Putten featured in the documentary about the life of legendary golfer Louis Rafael ‘Kid’ Corbin, narrated by Dr. Jeffrey Sammons, Professor of History, New York University
Noel Van Putten qualified to participate in an exhibition match against the legendary Gary Player who was then the Touring Golf Pro at Castle Harbour Resort organised by George Bird.
Noel Van Putten is one of the last of the trailblazing Ocean View Golf Club male members whose games represented the best amateurs and pros that club had to offer [when the rigid segregation of golf clubs ended in 1967] – the late L. E. “Peter” Tucker, Frank Rabain, Bill Pitt Sr., Eardley Jones, Rogers Outerbridge, Wilfred ‘Ralph’ Fray, Walter King, Clarence ‘Tootsie’ Bean, and Keith Pearman, along with now deceased Noel Van Putten, together with Alex Crofton, Keith Smith, and Harrison Simons now surviving, were the most notable of those Black golfing trailblazers from the late 1960 era in Bermuda when segregation ended – who proudly represented Bermuda, Ocean View and a race of Black people previously denied simply because a Caucasian only rule prevailed within our society.
The establishment of an inclusive golf club at the site of the Devonshire Golf Links set the stage for Noel Van Putten’s era of trailblazing golfers.
The golfers of Noel Van Putten’s era stood on the shoulders of their golfing forefathers who came before them – some taught them the game but surely inspired them – Louis ‘Rafael Kid’ Corbin, Herman ‘Tucci’ Bascome, Bill Pitt Sr, Earl Lowe, George Lowe, Leonard Jones, Earl Anderson, Buck Raynor, and others. Their passion and love of the game came through caddying and the establishment Ocean View Golf Club to allow Black golfers to play tournaments without interference at any time.
Noel Van Putten was the epitome of golf excellence. With a self taught style ideal for wind play and traditional links style golf courses, his fearless competitive style enabled him to represent Bermuda in the World Amateur [Eisenhower Cup] on numerous occasions in Argentina, Hong Kong, Santo Domingo, and Paris.
Noel Van Putten and top Bermuda players [amateurs and pros] often travelled overseas together to attempt to qualify for the British Open and, in later years, the British Senior Open.
The pinnacle of Noel’s international tournament play was when he successfully qualified for the British Senior Open at Royal Port Rush Golf Club in Northern Ireland.
Noel Van Putten’s legacy was punctuated by his contribution to the game of golf through his years as manager of Port Royal Golf Course [1975-1982], his role key in the establishment of a membership at Port Royal Golf Course and is outspoken advocacy for doing things properly.
Noel was a no nonsense, by the book, stickler for the rules type of person. He shared with me that he was mentored by the late George Wardman, then Chairman of the Trustees, during his tenure as General Manager. George Wardman Sr. was a former Bermuda Amateur Champion who was respected globally in the golf world. It was under Noel Van Putten’s tenure that Francis ‘Frankie’ Rabain was hired as Golf Professional and went on to serve 35 years.
Noel Van Putten was born in Whale Bay, Southampton and grew up around a cousin [the legendary golf pro Herman ‘Tucci’ Bascome] and as a young person moved to St. George’s were he grew up around golf at the St. George’s Hotel [Rose Hill] Golf Course and the rough and rugged Garrison Golf Links [near Naval Tanks Hill], both in St. George’s. He cultivated his own style and developed into a formidable player later joining the Ocean View Golf Club in Devonshire.
Noel Van Putten had a profound impact on my life through golf. I consider him family as we were connected on so many levels. As a competitor, he had a never give up attitude and as a person he demanded excellence and honesty. He was a stickler for the rules and wasn’t afraid to speak his mind. He served our golf community in Bermuda well.
I was overjoyed for Noel when he witnessed his grandson Chaka Desilva participate in the PGA Tour Butterfield Bermuda Championship at his beloved Port Royal Golf Course in 2021.
Ironically, Noel Van Putten was born and raised alongside the 13th tee of Port Royal Golf Course before the golf course was built and grew up in St. George’s where the first golf resort was first established in Bermuda dating back to the early 1900s.
As Port Royal celebrates its 55th anniversary this year, we say farewell to one of its biggest supporters, friend, and former manager: Noel Van Putten.
- Kim Swan
