Wellington, March 11 NZPA - An Auckland businessman refused service at a golf club bar because he was wearing a Sikh turban has been sent a written apology.

Supermarket owner Kharag Singh, 45, was refused service at the Aviation Country Golf Club bar in Auckland, after a competition his Manukau Golf Club team won, the Indian Weekender newspaper said.

The bar manager wouldn't serve Mr Singh because of his traditional turban, which Sikh men wear to keep their long hair in place.

Mr Singh said he was even more embarrassed as his 15-year-old son -- who also wears the traditional Punjabi headwear -- was standing behind him.

After an exchange of emails involving the clubs, Aviation wrote to the Singhs apologising for any embarrassment caused.

"Unfortunately, we had not set up a standard for people who wear headwear based on their religious/cultural beliefs... This will never happen here again," the letter from Aviation manager Peter Walsh said.

Singh wasn't refused service but "questioned about his headwear" and the matter had been dealt with, Mr Walsh said.

Mr Singh was happy with the outcome.

The Singhs' golf passion is reflected in a sign across the top of a doorway at their Manukau supermarket reading "People Work Because They Don't Know How to Play Golf".

The case is the second in recent months after an Auckland cosmopolitan club refused service to a Sikh man, Karnail Singh, because he was wearing a turban.

Human Rights Commission mediation between Karnail Singh and the Manurewa Cosmopolitan Club was due to take place early this year.

Karnail Singh was barred from entering the club in November as the club said he was breaching its rule which forbids the wearing of headwear in the bar.