April 8, 2021 | BY AAGD STAFF
A standing ovation greeted Lee Elder at Augusta National this morning. Elder, who will not strike a single ball at the 85th Masters in Augusta, Ga., was honored by Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley, a swath of patrons and top golfers, on the first tee as Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player hit their ceremonial tee shots. Elder broke the color barrier back in 1975, as the first Black man to play in the Masters.
Lee Elder is joined this morning by special guests including his family, representatives from Paine College and a group of Black PGA professionals. #themasters pic.twitter.com/C9AJSlypF4
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 8, 2021
86-year-old Elder with a myriad of health problems did not engage with a swing, rather he did receive a standing ovation from all of those in attendance which included a number of Black PGA Professionals along with past champions Bubba Watson and Phil Mickelson, who both made appearances in their green jackets. The group was joined by the only Black player in this year’s Masters field, Cameron Champ.
Back in November 2020, Ridley announced at that years Masters that Elder would be honored this year, and watching Elder in his elderly years receive it was tremendous. Yet, it is very sad that his physical condition restricted him from actually being able to swing a golf club.
Honorary Starters Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus join Lee Elder on the tee. The 2021 Masters is now officially under way. #themasters pic.twitter.com/wNlvGsclew
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 8, 2021
During his active golf career, Elder competed in six Masters overall and never finished better than T17. On the PGA Tour, his record was better, where he won four times and did something far more important than collecting major championship trophies.
Elder’s determination to play the game he loved so much paved the way — even amid much public humiliation, death threats and hostility — for Black golfers of the future to succeed at playing at the highest level.
Elder’s diligence is a tremendous tribute to his diligence and perseverance in golf. Today, Tiger Woods, the best player of all time is also Black and also made history at Augusta National, in the history of golf there are many overlooked and unrecognized achievements of Blacks in the sport, but this Thursday morning on the first tee we can add Lee Elder’s name to the ‘overcoming’ file.
