Lee Elder (1625 hits)

Lee Elder (1934 - ) is well known as the first Black golfer to play in the Masters in 1975 and 1977. He was also the first Black player in the South African PGA tournament in 1971, which led to the integration of the tournament gallery that year.

Like many early Black golf pros, Elder’s career began as a caddy on a local segregated golf course in his hometown of Dallas, TX. He quickly found a profitable enterprise in hustling the club patrons, once even playing an entire 18-hole round crosshanded.

The pickup games eventually transitioned into a pro career, winning championships in the Army’s service league and ultimately Elder set the record of being the most consistent player in the UGA (the Black professional golf association), once winning 21 out of 23 consecutive tournaments.

Elder is well known as a philanthropist as well as a world class athlete, having been an outspoken opponent of apartheid in South Africa and raising funds for various charitable causes such as UNCF.

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©2008 BlackGolfNet / SACHA Interactive Posted By: Jon C.
Wednesday, July 9th 2008 at 9:11AM
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