50th Anniversary Of Lee Elder: The 1st Black Man To Compete In The Masters

Lee Elder, the first African American golf star to break barriers in the sports world, demonstrated the power of hard work and determination, showing the world what it truly meant to bring inclusivity and unity to the game of golf. On April 10, 1975, Elder became the first African American golf player to compete in the prestigious Masters Tournament, an act that opened up doors for future generations.

His incredible journey began with humble beginnings in Dallas, Texas. Born in 1934 to Charles Elder, a coal truck driver, and his mother Sadie Elder, Lee grew up in a household that struggled to make ends meet. To help out, the star, then a teen, took up caddying at local golf courses, quickly developing a passion for the sport, The Texas Golf Hall of Fame noted. 

Ted Rhodes helped Elder to improve his swing. 

Per The National Links Trust, Elder’s game would take a major leap, forward when golf coach Ted Rhodes took him under his wing. After playing a round with boxing legend Joe Louis recognized Elder’s potential and began coaching him, refining his skills and helping him elevate his game.

After serving in the U.S. Army from 1959 to 1961, Elder joined the United Golf Association (UGA) Tour, where he would become a dominant force, winning 18 of the 22 tournaments he entered. His success on the UGA Tour set the stage for his eventual entry into the PGA Tour. In 1966, he competed in his first major championship, the U.S. Open, finishing tied for 57th.

By 1967, Elder had raised enough funds to attend the PGA Tour’s qualifying school, securing his PGA Tour card for the 1968 season. His wife, Rose Elder, helped him to save the $10,000 needed to compete, according to Sports Illustrated (SI). This came just six years after the PGA Tour had lifted its color barrier, allowing African Americans to compete. Elder once had to change his shoes in the parking lot of Pensacola Country Club “because Black players weren’t allowed to use the clubhouse,” the outlet noted.

Despite this, in 1974, Elder achieved yet another monumental milestone in his career, winning his first PGA Tour event, the Monsanto Open. This victory earned him an invitation to the prestigious Masters Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia.

Breaking barriers in golf.

As Elder began to make a name for himself on the professional golf circuit, the Texas native knew that winning a Masters Tournament would secure his place in history. His invitation to compete in April 1975 meant far more than just a potential victory. Elder understood that by simply being invited, he would become a symbol for inclusivity, breaking down barriers for Black players who had previously been excluded from competing in the prestigious event due to discriminatory rules. Black players were underpaid in the league and forced to play smaller tournaments during that time. 

Augusta National Golf Club had long been criticized for its exclusion of African American players. According to SI, Clifford Roberts, co-founder of the Masters Tournament and Augusta National, once declared that the tournament would always feature Black caddies and white players. But Elder was determined to change that narrative, knowing that his presence at Augusta would be a pivotal step toward greater equality in the sport.

“I go to bed thinking about the Masters,” Elder once told an interviewer, SI noted. “I dream about the Masters and I wake up thinking about the Masters.” 

Elder’s dreams came true on April 10, 1975, when he made history as the first African American golfer to compete in the Masters Tournament at Augusta National. This was a momentous achievement not just for Elder but for the entire sport. His participation in the Masters helped challenge the traditional barriers in golf, opening the door for future generations of minority players. While Elder did not win the Masters, his mere presence in the tournament was a victory for inclusion in the sport.

His success did not stop there. In 1979, Elder became the first Black golfer to qualify for the Ryder Cup. He went on to win eight Senior PGA Tour championships, further cementing his legacy as one of the sport’s greatest players.

Elder passed away Nov. 28, 2021, leaving behind a profound career.

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