“We talked about several things … our sports, our particular sport and the involvement that we felt that we could help other young Blacks that was coming up behind us,” Elder said. Twelve days later, Elder won the Monsanto Open to qualify for the following year’s Masters.Įlder visited with Aaron shortly before the Hammer died in January. “It’s a great honor, and I cherish it very much, and I will always cherish it,” Elder said.Įlder knew Robinson, who died in 1972, and was close with Hank Aaron, who endured racist threats throughout his stellar baseball career, particularly as he approached what was Babe Ruth’s home run mark.Īaron hit his record-breaking 715th homer on April 8, 1974. The club also invited him to take part in the ceremonial tee shot with Nicklaus and Player at this year’s Masters. Last year, before the pandemic-delayed Masters was played in November for the first time, Augusta National recognized Elder’s enormous contributions by setting up two scholarships in his name at Paine College, a historically Black school in Augusta. It took another 14 years before the Masters finally invited a Black player.įashion designer Virgil Abloh dies of cancer at 41 The PGA had a Caucasian-only rule until 1961 - 14 years after Jackie Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier. “It always amazed me that presidents of the United States would be giving these different awards to athletes for their athletic prowess, and here was a man that … was never given the awards that he actually duly deserved,” Player said.Įlder was 40 when he played in his first Masters, so many of his prime years already stolen from him by the scourge of racism. His best finish at the Masters was a tie for 17th, also in 1979.īut Elder’s impact on the game went far beyond wins and losses, even if it took decades for his legacy to be fully appreciated.
He played in all four major championships, tying for 11th at both the 1974 PGA Championship and the 1979 U.S. The highlight of his rookie year was a memorable loss to Nicklaus on the fifth hole of a sudden-death playoff at the American Golf Classic.Įlder would go on to capture four PGA Tour victories and eight more wins on the PGA Tour Champions for 50-and-over players. Finally, at the age of 33, Elder was able to afford PGA qualifying school, where he earned his first tour card for the 1968 season. He developed into one of the UGA’s best players, but meager prize money made it tough to earn a living.
He was able to polish his game while serving in the Army and, after his discharge, joined the United Golf Association Tour for Black players in the early 1960s. His presence will be sorely missed, but his legacy will continue to be celebrated.”Įlder got into golf as a caddie, since that essentially was the only conduit Black people had to be permitted on the course.
Lee will always be a part of the history of the Masters Tournament. “Lee was an inspiration to so many young men and women of color not only through his play but also through his commitment to education and community. “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Lee Elder,” Ridley said in a statement. “For me and my family, I think it was one of the most emotional experiences that I have ever witnessed or been involved in,” he said.įred Ridley, chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters, called Elder “a true pioneer in the game of golf.”
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This past April, in the wake of social justice protests that roiled the nation, the Masters honored Elder by having him join Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player for the ceremonial opening tee shots.Įlder was in poor health and unable to take a swing, but he held up his driver proudly at the first tee, clearly moved by the moment. Joanne Shenandoah, celebrated Native American singer, dies
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