Master's at Augusta: Honors Lee Elder

The Masters at Augusta, Georgia has begun. Golf and business have been a hand in hand combination for decades. Often said, “deals get done, on the Golf Course”. It wasn’t until 1975 that the first African American Golfer was allowed to compete, Mr. Lee Elder. The Masters this year honored Mr. Elder, by allowing him to be a part of the Ceremonial grand opening.    

Mr. Elder was a trail blazer during a time that the Country was at a shift. His accomplishment opened the door for some Twenty-Two years later; he’d sit and watch the first African American win the entire Tournament, Tiger Woods. Mr. Woods would go one to win five master’s competitions, being the leading figure for Minority Golfers for the next two decades. The once “Renaissance” urging more Golfers of color to participate, hasn’t been of the present. With a mere one and a half percent of total professional Players being of color. 

 

In 1990, Mr. Robert Townsend became the first Black member at Augusta. The private, most dignified Golf Club in the country, has recently added their ninth member of color to Augusta National, Mr. David Grain. As time continues on, more and more minorities are meticulously becoming more a part of what was once a segregated association. 

 

With a sport that has such an influence on business, serving as a place for private meetings and fair game competitiveness for some of the most influential people in the country. Minorities of this generation continue to embark in this sport at a higher level of representation. Current Professionals of Color who look to continue the legacy left by Elder Lee and Tiger Woods.