In spite of protests against the apartheid regime from African nations and civil rights activists, Hester let South Africa compete in two tournaments against the United States, first in Newport Beach, California, in April 1977 and next at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, in March 1978.
[3] Hester began his career as a salesman and distributor of air conditioners made by White Trucks, Carrier and General Electric.
[1] In 1955, he began a new career as a wildcatter, and he sold participation interests in prospective oil wells.
[2][6][7] Moreover, he decided to let a tournament between the United States and South Africa take place in Newport Beach, California, in April 1977 in spite of backlash from African nations and protesters due to the apartheid regime.
[3][8] He also let another tournament take place at Vanderbilt University's Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville, Tennessee, in March 1978 despite protests from civil rights leaders.