Blakeon18
Dormie
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Lee Elder, 1st Black golfer to play Masters, dies at 87
A native Texan who developed his game during segregated times while caddying, Elder made history in 1975 at Augusta National.
www.nbcnews.com
Sad to see this news a few minutes ago. The link takes you to an article about Lee's
role in the history of golf...a significant one for sure. An incredibly gracious man throughout his
long career....first African American to play in The Masters....1975. A 'very good' player whose contributions to the game were way beyond that description.
Idle musings: A friend and I caddied at the Tupper Lake Open for several summers as teens....in the Adirondacks.
Lee won that event a few years after we stopped caddying. His win maybe was in the late 1960's. The event is still held every summer. The tourney attracted several high profile black golfers even given a small purse. The PGA tour was not welcoming to those players back then and they had to make ends meet somehow. Charlie Sifford was among those who played there....also a legend.
Lee was invited with Nicklaus and Player to hit the ceremonial tee shots at The Masters last April. Lee was in poor health and could not actually hit his shot but the linked article suggests how pleased he was to have that honor and just be there on the first tee.
At 87...RIP Lee Elder.