Elder, first to break Masters barrier, dies

Golf has lost one of its most significant pioneers.

Lee Elder, a talented and determined player and an elegant gentleman, died on Sunday at the age of 87.

Elder is best known for breaking the color barrier at the Masters, where he became the first African American to compete in the tournament in 1975.

After too many years, Elder finally was invited as one of the honorary starters at last April’s Masters, sharing the stage with Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player as they took the ceremonial first tee shots. Elder was not physically well enough to take the shot, but he slowly stood from his wheelchair to acknowledge a warm ovation.

“For me and my family, I think it was one of the most emotional experiences that I have ever witnessed or been involved in,” Elder said last year.

“Lee was a good player, but most important, a good man who was very well respected by countless people,” Jack Nicklaus wrote on his Twitter account. “The game of golf lost a hero in Lee Elder. Lee Elder was a pioneer, and in so many ways. Yes, he was the first black golfer to play in the Masters Tournament, but that simply underlined the hard work Lee put in to further the cause of everyone who has a dream to play on the PGA Tour and perhaps thinks there were too many barriers before them.”

Elder also became the first African American to represent the U.S, in a Ryder Cup in 1979.

Elder famously drove from Florida to Augusta, Ga. during the final round of the 1997 Masters so he could be on the property to witness Tiger Woods win the Green Jacket, becoming the first black man to accomplish that feat.

After his win, Woods paid tribute to the likes of Elder and Charlie Sifford, who came before, for paving the way for him.

“I thought about those guys coming up 18,” Woods said. “I said a little prayer and said thanks. I wasn’t the first. I wasn’t the pioneer. I thank them. I think that’s why this victory is even more special. Lee, because of what he did, I was able to play here. Because of Charlie, I was able to play on the PGA Tour. I lived my dream because of those guys.”