One of the island’s pioneering Black golfers was among many who broke the colour barrier at a time of segregation in Bermuda when the sport was linked with elitism.

Noel Van Putten also served as manager of the Port Royal Golf Course from November 1977 to January 1984 — something he described as one of his proudest accomplishments, along with finally being able to purchase his own home in 1984.

Mr Van Putten was also a taxi driver, beginning in 1958, and considered the 1980 purchase of his own vehicle, T1768, “one of my greatest achievements”.

Golfer and government MP Kim Swan hailed him as “the trailblazing golfer from Whale Bay and St George’s” and cited him as the reason he became involved in the sport.

Mr Swan said: “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.”

Mr Van Putten was one of several trailblazers to come through the Ocean View Golf Club in Devonshire, most notably Alex Crofton, Keith Smith and Harrison Simons.

Mr Swan recognised Mr Van Putten as Port Royal celebrated its 55th anniversary this year.

The Progressive Labour Party MP said that golf had been in Mr Van Putten’s life throughout his upbringing.

Mr Van Putten was born and raised in Whale Bay, Southampton, near the 13th tee of Port Royal Golf Course.

His family relocated to St George’s in 1939 between the St George’s Hotel Golf Course, Bermuda’s oldest course, and Garrison Golf Links.

Mr Van Putten taught himself to play the sport and developed a strong and reliable swing that he sharpened after joining Ocean View.

He climbed the ranks, mentored by the late champion George Wardman, a globally respected player.

Mr Van Putten hired Francis “Frankie” Rabain as golf professional during his tenure at Port Royal. Mr Rabain would go on to serve for 35 years and became synonymous with the sport.

Mr Van Putten would qualify for an exhibition match organised by George Bird against golf legend Gary Player, who at the time was the touring golf pro at the Castle Harbour Resort.

He would go on to represent Bermuda several times during the World Amateur Golf Tournament, a feat that took him to Argentina in 1972, the Dominican Republic in 1974, Hong Kong in 1984 and France in 1994.

Mr Van Putten also represented the island in 1995 during the Senior British Open at Royal Portrush Golf Course in Northern Ireland.

Lloyd James, a cricket legend and former PLP MP, served as his caddie for the event.

Mr Swan described Mr Van Putten as “the epitome of golf excellence” with a fierce respect for the rules.

He added: “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.

“I was overjoyed for Noel when he witnessed his grandson, Chaka DeSilva, participate in the Butterfield Bermuda Championship at his beloved Port Royal Golf Course in 2021.”

Mr Van Putten would go on to be featured in a documentary about the life of legendary golfer Louis Rafael “Kid” Corbin.

Jeffrey Sammons, a retired Professor of History at New York University, who narrated the documentary, described Mr Van Putten as “a straightforward shooter who was very opinionated — he told it like he saw it”.

In his final words for his memorial, Mr Van Putten thanked Port Royal, and family from his kidney care clinic, St Anne’s Church and Agape House.

He added: “I am eternally grateful to my family for allowing me to transition with grace, dignity and peace of mind.

“I am proud of all of you and love you very much.”

• Noel Branch Van Putten, a champion golfer and former manager at Port Royal Golf Course, was born on March 1, 1933. He died in September 2025, aged 95