Tiger Wood’s inspiration, Lee Elder, dies aged 87

Lee Elder, who broke down racial limitations as the primary Black golfer to play within the Masters and paved the way in which for Tiger Woods and others to comply with, has died on the age of 87.
The PGA Tour introduced Elder’s dying, which was first reported Monday by Debert Cook of African American Golfers Digest. No trigger was given, however the tour confirmed Elder’s dying along with his household.
He had been sick and wore an oxygen tube beneath his nostril when he appeared on the opening of the Masters in April. The tour stated he died early Sunday in Escondido, California.
A Texan who developed his recreation throughout segregated occasions whereas caddying, Elder made historical past in 1975 at Augusta National, which had held an all-white match till he acquired an invite after successful the Monsanto Open the earlier yr.
Elder missed the reduce at his first Masters however endlessly stamped himself as a groundbreaking determine in a sport that had by no means been identified for racial tolerance.
Twenty-two years later, Woods turned the primary Black golfer to seize the inexperienced jacket, launching one of many best careers in golf historical past.
This previous April, within the wake of social justice protests that roiled the nation, the Masters honored Elder by having him be part of Nicklaus and Gary Player for the ceremonial opening tee photographs.

Elder’s poor well being prevented him from taking a swing, however he held up his driver proudly on the first tee, clearly moved by the second.
Elder obtained into golf as a caddie, since that basically was the one conduit Black individuals needed to be permitted on the course. He was in a position to polish his recreation whereas serving within the Army and, after his discharge, joined the United Golf Association Tour for Black gamers within the early Sixties.
He developed into one of many UGA’s finest gamers, however meager prize cash made it robust to earn a dwelling. Finally, on the age of 33, Elder was in a position to afford PGA qualifying college, the place he earned his first tour card for the 1968 season.
Elder would go on to seize 4 PGA Tour victories and eight extra wins on the PGA Tour Champions for 50-and-over gamers. He performed in all 4 main championships, tying for eleventh at each the 1974 PGA Championship and the 1979 US Open.
His finest end in six Masters appearances was a tie for seventeenth in 1979.
But Elder’s influence on the sport went far past wins and losses, even when it took many years for his legacy to be totally appreciated.
Elder was 40 when he performed in his first Masters, so lots of his prime years already stolen from him by the scourge of racism.

The PGA had a Caucasian-only rule till 1961 — 14 years after Jackie Robinson broke baseball’s shade barrier. It took one other 14 years earlier than the Masters lastly invited a Black participant.
Last yr, earlier than the pandemic-delayed Masters was performed in November for the primary time, Augusta National formally acknowledged Elder’s huge contributions by organising two scholarships in his identify at Paine College, a traditionally Black college within the east Georgia metropolis.
The membership additionally invited him to participate within the ceremonial tee shot with Nicklaus and Player at this yr’s Masters.
Elder, who’s survived by his spouse, Sharon, was at Augusta National for Woods’ historic win in 1997. He wasn’t about to overlook seeing a Black golfer win the match for the primary time.
After all, it was Elder who paved the way in which.