Lee Elder, who broke the racial barrier as the first black golfer to play at the Masters and paved the way for Tiger Woods and others followed, passed away at the age of 87.
PGA Tour announced His death both second. No cause or immediate details were provided, but the tour says it has confirmed the death of Elder and his family.
A native Texan who developed his game at separate intervals playing caddy, Elder made history in 1975 at Augusta National, which had been a whites tournament until when he received the invitation after winning the Monsanto Open the previous year.
Elder missed out on his first Masters but forever stamped himself as a breakthrough figure in a sport that has never been known for racial tolerance.
22 years later, Woods became the first black golfer to win the green jacket, kicking off one of the greatest careers in golf history.
This past April, amid nationwide social justice protests, the Masters honored Elder by having him join Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player for the shots. ceremonial opening ball.
Elder was in poor health and unable to swing, but he raised his handlebars proudly from the first tee, obviously very emotional at this point.
“For me and my family, I think it was one of the most emotional experiences I’ve ever witnessed or been involved in,” he said.
Fred Ridley, president of the Augusta National Golf Club and Masters, called Elder “a true pioneer in the game of golf.”
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Lee Elder,” Ridley said in a statement. “Lee is an inspiration to so many young people and women of color not only through his play, but also through his commitment to education and community. Lee will always be a part of history. of the Masters Tournament. His presence will be greatly missed, but his legacy will continue to be honored.”
Elder entered golf as a caddy, as it was essentially the only sport in which Blacks were allowed on the course. He was able to polish his game while serving in the Army and after his discharge he joined the United Golf Association Tour for black players in the early 1960s.
He has developed into one of UGA’s best players, but the meager prize money makes it difficult to make a living. Finally, at age 33, Elder was able to afford PGA-qualified school, where he earned his first travel card for the 1968 season.
The highlight of his rookie year was a memorable loss to Nicklaus on the fifth hole of the sudden death playoff at the American Golf Classic.
Elder went on to claim four PGA Tour wins and eight more in the PGA Tour Champions for players 50 and older. He played in all four major championships, finishing 11th at both the 1974 PGA Championship and the 1979 US Open. His best finish at the Masters was a 17th draw, also in 1979.
But Elder’s impact on the game went far beyond winning and losing, even if it took decades for his legacy to be fully appreciated.
“I’ve always been amazed that the presidents of the United States would give these different awards to athletes for their athletic prowess, and here’s a man who… has never been given these awards. that he really deserves,” Player said.
Elder was 40 years old when he competed in the first Masters, many of his childhood years were stolen by the scourge of racism.
The PGA had a whites-only rule until 1961 – 14 years after Jackie Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier. It took another 14 years before the Masters finally invited a Black player.
Last year, before the pandemic postponed Masters were held for the first time in November, Augusta National recognized Elder’s great contributions by establishing two scholarships to his name at Paine College, a historic school History for the Negro in Augusta.
The club also invited him to take part in a ceremonial tee-off with Nicklaus and Player at this year’s Masters.
“It was a great honor, and I cherish it very much, and I will always cherish it,” Elder said.
Nicklaus added, “It’s long overdue.”
Elder knew Robinson, who died in 1972, and was close to Hank Aaron, who had endured racist threats throughout his stellar baseball career, especially as he approached the marker. Babe Ruth’s run home.
Aaron hit a record 715 homer on April 8, 1974.
Twelve days later, Elder won the Monsanto Open to qualify for next year’s Masters.
Elder visited Aaron shortly before Hammer’s death in January.
“We talked about a number of things…our sports, our particular sport and engagement that we felt we could help other young black people with. are behind us,” Elder said. “And I certainly hope that the things that I have done have inspired a lot of the young players in Black and they will continue with that.”
Elder was present in the historic victory of the Augusta National for Woods in 1997.
