Lee Elder Biography

Robert Lee Elder was an American professional golfer born on July 14, 1934, and passed away on November 28, 2021. In 1975, he became the first Black golfer to play in the Masters Tournament. He earned his invitation after winning the 1974 Monsanto Open. Elder did not play a full round of 18 holes until he was sixteen years old. His career advanced significantly after a match with heavyweight boxer Joe Louis, which led to Louis’s golf instructor, Ted Rhodes, mentoring him for three years. Gleaster placed Elder in a Special Services unit, which provided consistent opportunities to play golf. Elder also competed in several tournaments on the Southern African Tour and won the 1971 Nigerian Open.