Lee Elder, who broke down racial barriers as the first black golfer to play in the Masters and paved the way for Tiger Woods and others to follow, has died at the age of 87.
The PGA Tour announced Elder’s death, which was first reported Monday by Debert Cook of African American Golfers Digest. No cause was given, but the trip confirmed Elder’s death with his family.
He had been in poor health and was carrying an oxygen snake under his nose when he showed up at the opening of the Masters in April. The tour said he died early Sunday in Escondido, California.
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“Lee was a good player, but most importantly, a good man who was highly respected by countless people,” Jack Nicklaus wrote on his Twitter account. “The game of golf lost a hero in Lee Elder.”
A Texan who developed his game during separate times while driving and tough rounds, Elder wrote history in 1975 at Augusta National, which had held an all-white tournament until he received an invitation after winning the Monsanto Open the year before.
Elder missed the cut at his first Masters, but forever branded himself as a pioneering figure in a sport that had never been known for race tolerance.
Twenty-two years later, Woods became the first black golfer to conquer the green jacket, launching one of the greatest careers in golf history.
“Lee Elder was a pioneer, and in so many ways,” Nicklaus said. “Yes, he was the first black golfer to play in the Masters, but that simply underlined the hard work Lee has put into promoting the cause for anyone who has a dream of playing on the PGA Tour and might think that were too many barriers. in front of them. “
After his record-breaking 12-stroke victory in 1997 – the first of five Masters and 15 major titles won by Woods – he reflected on the contributions of black golfers such as Elder and Charlie Sifford.
“I was thinking those guys were going to be 18,” Woods said that night. I said a little prayer and said thank you. I was not the first. I was not the pioneer. I thank You. I think that’s why this victory is even more special. Lee, because of what he did, I was able to play here. Because of Charlie, I was able to play on the PGA Tour. I lived out my dream because of those guys. “
Last April, in the wake of social justice protests hitting the nation, Masters honored Elder by getting him to join Nicklaus and Gary Player for the ceremonial opening battles.
Elder’s poor health prevented him from taking a turn, but he held his driver proudly up at the first tee, clearly moved by the moment.
“For me and my family, I think it was one of the most emotional experiences I have ever witnessed or been involved in,” Elder said.
“That morning you could see the joy in Lee’s face,” Nicklaus said Monday. “Gary Player and I were honored to enjoy that moment with him.”
Fred Ridley, president of the Augusta National and the Masters, called Elder “a true pioneer in the game of golf.”
“Lee was an inspiration to so many young colored men and women, not only through his play but also through his commitment to education and community,” Ridley said in a statement. “Lee will always be a part of the history of the Masters tournament. His presence will be greatly missed, but his legacy will continue to be celebrated.”
Elders started playing golf as a caddy, as it was basically the only channel blacks should be allowed on the course. He was able to polish his game while serving in the Army, and after his dismissal, he joined the United Golf Association Tour for Black players in the early 1960s.
He developed into one of UGA’s best players, winning 18 out of 22 tournaments in one dominant stretch, but sparse prize money made it difficult to earn a living. Finally, at the age of 33, Elder could afford the PGA Qualifying School, where he received his first tour card for the 1968 season.
The highlight of his rookie year was a memorable loss to Nicklaus on the fifth hole of a sudden-death playoff at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio.
Elders would go on to capture four PGA Tour victories and eight more victories at the PGA Tour Champions for 50-and-over players. He played in all four major championships and finished 11th at both the 1974 PGA Championship and the 1979 US Open.
His best finish in six Masters appearances was a draw in 17th place in 1979.
But Elder’s influence on the game went far beyond victories and losses, even though it took decades before his legacy was fully appreciated.
“It has always amazed me that presidents of the United States would give these different awards to athletes for their athletic ability, and here was a man who … never got the awards he actually deserved,” Player said.
Eldest was 40 when he played in his first Masters, so many of his best years were already stolen from him by the scourge of racism.
The PGA had a Caucasian rule only until 1961 – 14 years after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier of baseball. It took another 14 years before the Masters finally invited a black player.
Last year, before the pandemic-delayed Masters was played in November for the first time, Augusta National formally recognized Elder’s enormous contribution by creating two scholarships in his name at Paine College, a historic black school in East Georgia city.
The club also invited him to participate in the ceremonial tee battle with Nicklaus and Player at this year’s Masters.
“It’s one thing that will be important to me, because 1975 was just an ordinary stroke playing a golf tournament, even though it was the Masters,” the elder said at the time. “It is not so important as this image comes on April 8, 2021. Because my heart and my soul will be in this image.”
Unfortunately, he was not able to take it. Elder watched from a chair at first tee while Nicklaus and Player made their turns.
But elders were deeply moved to be in their company in such a sacred place.
Former Masters champions Bubba Watson and Phil Mickelson, both in their green jackets, made sure they were there for the ceremony. The same was Cameron Champ, one of four players with black heritage on the PGA Tour.
“It is a great honor and I appreciate it very much and I will always appreciate it,” Elder said.
Nicklaus added, “It was a long wait.”
Robert Lee Elder was born on July 14, 1934 in Dallas, Texas, the youngest of 10 children.
His father was killed in action during World War II when Elder was 9, and his mother died three months later. He was taken in by an aunt, Sarah, when he was 11 and lived for a time in Los Angeles before returning to Texas.
“My aunt was an incredible person,” Elder wrote in Golf Digest in 2019. “She gave me love and discipline, did not let me get too far out of line. Her resources were limited, but she carried herself with great dignity, communicated “good with people and taught me right and wrong. I was alone after about 16 years, but she got me to a point where I could take care of myself.”
It was at that point that Elder played a full 18-hole round for the first time, reinforcing his love of golf even more.
He played games whenever he could, and further developed his skills in the army while serving under a golf-loving colonel, who directed him to a special unit where he could play regularly.
“It’s remarkable to look back on Lee’s life and career and realize the hardships he endured and the sacrifices he made to reach the highest level of golf,” said PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan. “Having the success he had while paving the way for others to dream big and achieve is a testament to the type of man he was and how much talent he possessed.”
Elder knew Robinson, who died in 1972, and was close to Hank Aaron, who endured racist threats throughout his amazing baseball career, especially as he approached what was Babe Ruth’s home run brand.
Aaron beat his record-breaking 715th homer on April 8, 1974.
Twelve days later, Elder won the Monsanto Open to qualify for the following year’s Masters.
Elder visited Aaron shortly before Hammer died in January.
“We talked about several things … our sport, our particular sport, and the commitment that we felt we could help other young blacks who came after us,” Elder said. “And I certainly hope that the things I have done have inspired a lot of young black players and that they will continue to do so.”
Elder, who is survived by his wife, Sharon, was at the Augusta National for Woods historic victory in 1997. He was not about to miss seeing a black golfer win the tournament for the first time.
It was the elders who paved the way.
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