Lee Elder

Robert Lee Elder (July 14, 1934 – November 28, 2021) was an American professional golfer. In 1975, he became the first black golfer to play in the Masters Tournament. Elder was invited to the tournament after he won the 1974 Monsanto Open.

Early life In 1934, Elder was born in Dallas, Texas. He is the son of Charles and Almeta Elder. Elder was one of ten children. He was nine years old when his father was killed in Germany during World War II and his mother died three months later.

At the age of 12, Elder found himself moving from one ghetto to another before being sent to Los Angeles, California to live with his aunt. Elder frequently cut classes to work as a caddie and after two years at Manual Arts High School he dropped out.

Amateur career Elder did not play a full round of 18 holes until he was sixteen years old. He took jobs in pro shops and locker rooms; in addition, he caddied where he developed his game by watching his clients, and playing when he had the opportunity. Elder's game developed sufficiently for him to start hustling. His career took a big step after playing a match with heavyweight boxer Joe Louis, which led to Louis’s golf instructor, Ted Rhodes, taking Elder under his wing for three years. Under the tutelage of Rhodes, Elder was able to polish his game and he began playing in tournaments.

Professional career In 1959, Elder turned professional. That year he was also was drafted into the U.S. Army and was sent to Fort Lewis, Washington. While at Fort Lewis, Elder had the good fortune to be under the command of Colonel John Gleaster who was an avid golfer. Gleaster put Elder in a Special Services unit, which allowed him the opportunity to play golf on a steady basis.

Elder was discharged from the army in 1961, and joined the United Golf Association Tour (UGA) for black players (at the time they were excluded from the Professional Golfers' Association of America (PGA) which was only "for members of the Caucasian race"). He had a dominant stretch in which he won 18 of 22 consecutive tournaments, but this tour did not have large prizes, often in the range of $500.

The PGA lifted its color barrier in 1961, meaning non white players could become members. Personal life Elder met his first wife, Rose Harper, at a golf tournament in Washington, D.C. In 1966, they married and later divorced.

Elder and his then wife, Harper, set up the Lee Elder Scholarship Fund in 1974. This fund was developed to offer monetary aid to low-income young men and women seeking money for college.

Elder died on November 28, 2021, in Escondido, California at the age of 87.

Professional wins (16) PGA Tour wins (4)

PGA Tour playoff record (2–2)

Other wins (2) 1971 Nigerian Open 1984 Jamaica Open

Senior PGA Tour wins (8) Note: Tournament shortened to 36 holes due to rain.

Senior PGA Tour playoff record (3–0)

Japan Senior wins (2) 1984 Coca-Cola Grandslam Championship 1986 Coca-Cola Grandslam Championship

Results in major championships

CUT = missed the halfway cut "T" indicates a tie for a place

Summary Most consecutive cuts made – 7 (1978 Masters – 1979 PGA) Longest streak of top-10s – 0

U.S. national team appearances Professional Ryder Cup: 1979 (winners)