Fifty years ago, on April 21, 1974, Lee Elder won the Monsanto Open, marking a notable moment in golf history and gaining an invitation to the Masters that broke the color barrier. Cheers to writer John Barba for honoring and celebrating this milestone. Read his full story the link below.
by John Barba, April 25, 2024
Welcome back, friends, to yet another edition of History’s Mysteries. Every so often, MyGolfSpy takes a look back in time at the equipment, people and events that mattered and made a difference.
This has been an exciting week in golf, with Nelly Korda and Scottie Scheffler battling it out to see who the best golfer in the world is. But with all the hubbub, a very important anniversary came and went this past Sunday, and it’s an event that should always be remembered.
On April 21, 1974, Lee Elder won the Monsanto Open in Pensacola, Fla. That victory was the first in Elder’s PGA Tour career. More importantly, the win earned Elder a spot in the 1975 Masters, making him the first African American to play at Augusta.
If you’re a student of history, particularly of the 1960s and ’70s, that’s no small milestone. >>(Continue to read the full story at mygolfspy.com)
