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Masters: Lee Elder to join Opening tee shot ceremony in 2021

By Christopher O'Day

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 02: Retired golfer Lee Elder attends a game between the Connecticut Sun and the Las Vegas Aces during their game at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on June 2, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Sun defeated the Aces 80-74. Elder will become the first African American to receive the United States Golf Association's Bob Jones Award, the association's highest honor, at Pebble Beach Golf Links during the week of the 2019 U.S. Open later this month. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images )
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 02: Retired golfer Lee Elder attends a game between the Connecticut Sun and the Las Vegas Aces during their game at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on June 2, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Sun defeated the Aces 80-74. Elder will become the first African American to receive the United States Golf Association's Bob Jones Award, the association's highest honor, at Pebble Beach Golf Links during the week of the 2019 U.S. Open later this month. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images ) /
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There will be a new and welcome member to the opening tee ceremony at the Masters, as Lee Elder will join the festivities starting in 2021.

Not too long ago, we were wondering about who would join the Maters opening tee ceremony, and if there would be an addition or a changing of the guard. We found out that it would be the former, as Lee Elder would be the newest member of the famed group.

Lee Elder may not be known to a ton of golf fans (I have to admit, I was not familiar with him). In 1975, after receiving an invite to the Masters from winning the 1974 Monsanto Open, Elder would be the first African-American to tee up at Augusta for the Masters.

He would go on to play there a total of six times, recording two top-twenty finishes, with his best coming in 1979 when he would T-17th place. With 16 professional wins under his belt, four coming on the PGA Tour, and eight more coming on the Champions Tour, Elder was quite the golfer and a worthy invite to the Masters opening tee ceremony.

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Chances are, Elder would’ve earned more wins on the PGA Tour if he could’ve started on said tour earlier in his life. He would play for many years on the United States Golf Association Tour, which was a separate tour for black players. Elder would win plenty, including an incredible run of 18 wins over 22 events, but the prize money was often lacking.

Born in 1934, the 86-year-old Lee Elder will be joining the Golden Bear and the Black Knight to set off the festivities in Augusta. Elder will be just that, as the oldest of the trio. Jack will be 81, and Player will be 85.

It’s fantastic to see someone joining this group, and bringing it back to three after the passing of the King, Arnold Palmer. Not only was Elder a great golfer, but he was an important figure in the history of the sport.

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Congratulations to the newest member of the opening tee shot festivities at the Masters, Mr. Lee Elder.

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