RIP Lee Elder

[HanSenSE]

First Black golfer to play in the Masters and represent the U.S. in the Ryder Cup. This spring, he was one of the honorary starters at the Masters.

Lee Elder, the first Black golfer to play at the Masters, dies at 87 - CNN

 

[maumann]

RIP, Lee. Just came to see if this had been posted.

A member of the United Golf Association before the PGA integrated in 1961, Lee followed Charlie Sifford onto the Tour and was the one who really broke down the barriers, playing in South Africa during apartheid and then particularly at Augusta, where the only people of color were the caddies and cleaning crew. Calvin Peete followed and you know the rest of the story.

I'm glad he was able to be honored at the ceremonial tee shots at Augusta this year. Things have really changed in 60 years, but there's still so far to go.

 

[playthrough]

Yeah, depending on one's view of Augusta National and the greencoats, it was either wonderful that Elder got to soak up the ceremonial first tee adulation while he still could or disgraceful that it took so long in coming that he was too frail to actually hit the shot.

RIP to a pioneer indeed.