The Match

After the unearthing of legendary Cuban photographer Alberto Korda's images of Fidel Castro and 'Che' Guevara playing golf, Dale Concannon takes a closer look at the round that could have triggered World War III.

'Che' Guevara (crouching) looks on as Fidel Castro attempts a short putt

As valuation expert to Dominic Winter Auction House in the heart of the English countryside, Chris Albury was used to receiving strange things through the post. Held together with brown tape and covered in brightly coloured Mexican stamps, the address on the package was scrawled in black marker pen substituting the Spanish word Reino Unido for the United Kingdom. "Looking it over the biggest surprise of all was that it arrived safely in the first place," he admitted.

The letter inside was not much better. Written in Spanish something told him that it might be worth getting it translated. Any lingering doubts he may have had were quickly dispelled after a group of black and white photographs spilled onto his desk when he finally managed to get it open.

Instantly recognisable they were the work of legendary Cuban photographer Alberto Korda – the man behind the iconic portrait of Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara entitled El Guerrillero Heroico. Grabbing a magnifying glass from a drawer, he scanned his way through the small but fascinating collection.

Then almost without warning, four images drew a sharp intake of breath from the experienced auctioneer. "I spotted four photographs of what appeared a rather unusual golf match," said Albury. "Somewhat unusually two men were dressed in Army fatigues and combat boots. Then I did a double take. One was Fidel Castro and the other was Che Guevara!"

A few late evening phone calls to the mysterious consigner in Mexico and Chris Albury established the collection of 55 photographs belonged to Alberto Korda’s daughter, Norka. "We had sold some of her fathers’ photos in a previous sale and they had fetched a good price," said Albury. "Somehow she found out about it on the internet and sent us the photographs to sell in our May (2013) Collectors Auction."

Now it was time to do some research ...

At first glance the connection between two battle-hardened revolutionaries and the bourgeoisie game of golf is not instantly obvious. And while photos of the Castro-Guevara golf match are not unknown (they are regularly sold as postcards in souvenir shops throughout Cuba), the story behind it is mired in controversy and confusion.

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