Sad news from the world of golf today as Lee Elder, the first Black golfer to play in the Masters, has passed away at the age of 87.
Elder made his historic debut at Augusta National in 1975, breaking a color barrier in a sport that wasn’t welcoming to Black golfers or Black people.
“I was shaking so badly, I did not know if I was even going to be able to tee up the ball,” said Elder at the time.
“How I got through it I do not know, just with the help of the Almighty I got there and was able to put my ball on the tee.”
It wasn’t an easy decision for Elder due to the hate and animosity he received.
But despite the vicious reaction to his qualifying for the Masters, he recognized the importance of what he could do.
“I think the reason why was there had been so much talk about no Black man playing at Augusta, and after all that, I wasn’t going to qualify and not go.”
So he showed up, nervous but undeterred.
Elder was a four-time PGA Tour title winner, capturing titles at the 1974 Monsanto Open, the 1976 Houston Open, the 1978 Greater Milwaukee Open and the 1978 American Express Westchester Classic. Over his career, he played in five more Masters and 34 major championships in total, putting together seven top-25 finishes.
In 1979, Elder became the first Black man to represent the United States Ryder Cup team, where he played in the 17-11 win over Europe.
Elder’s legendary career inspired many both on and off the course.
He helped pave the path for future Black golfers like Tiger Woods, who won his first green jacket 22 years after Elder’s debut.
“I wasn’t the pioneer. Charlie Sifford, Lee Elder and Teddy Rhodes paved the way,” said Woods at the time. “I was thinking about them and what they’ve done for me as I was coming up the 18th fairway. I said a little prayer and a thanks to those guys. They are the ones who did it for me.”
Woods continued his admiration for the golf legend after Augusta National honored Elder by making him an honorary starter and creating two scholarships in his name at HBCU institution Paine College in Augusta
“We all belong,” said Woods. “Such wonderful news to hear from Augusta National in celebration of Lee Elder.”
Like all Black trailblazers venturing and succeeding in sports where they weren’t wanted, Elder encountered racism at every step of his career. That included death threats should he attempt to tee off at the Masters.
It was so bad that he ended up renting two houses so that no one would know where he was at any time.
“It was frightening. You try to eliminate the possibility of anything happening,” he said.”That was part of the reason for renting two houses during the Masters week. The logic behind that was the fact we did not want the people to know where I was staying.”
But Elder, like Jackie Robinson and Hank Aaron, persevered, played on and succeeded. That bravery and determination opened the doors for others to follow through.
And just like those great men, he remained humble throughout his career and life.
“I just want to say thank you so very much to have me here,” said Elder after being honored at Augusta National. “It’s a great honor, and I cherish it very much, and I will always cherish it, and I want to thank the chairman for extending me this great privilege.”
RIP Lee Elder.
