Despite the fact that our society’s tolerance has significantly improved from the years of the Great Depression and Civil Rights Movement, racial hatred and tension are an inevitable part of our sociological world. Race impacts every social institution including education, law enforcement, politics, and even sports. Although race is an indicator of ethnic heritage and nationality, it is in no way a marker of intelligence, ability, or potential. In this paper, I will analyze the career of Lee Elder and emphasize how he not only impacted his sport, but also the racial discourse surrounding his life. Elder was one of the foundational athletes that proved to the world that African American athletes have the same amount of potential as any other race.
Lee Elder was born in Dallas, Texas in the year of 1934. He was orphaned after his father died in World War II and then his mother passed away not long after. Elder became involved with golf because it was a chance to earn money for him and his sister. At first, he was only a caddy, but overtime he began to play on the course designated to the blacks. Even though the course was segregated, he continued to improve and eventually became a part of the all-black United Golfers Association in 1959. Since blacks had their own tournaments and tours, it was quite the shock when Elder was allowed to play in the South African PGA Tournament in 1971. “His participation in that event made this the first integrated sports event in South Africa since the establishment of the official Apartheid policy in 1948.”
His success did not stop after the first integrated tournament; Elder moved on to become the first African American to play in the Master’s in 1975. The most riveting part about Elder’s career was that he not only was a phenomenal golfer, he also made history by integrated his sport and being the first of his race to participate in golf’s most well-known tournament. The effects that his golf career had on society were immensely vital to the integration of blacks into the community. Since sports are such a communal event, the integration in sports demonstrated that integration in society was in fact possible and even beneficial. Elder’s impact was so influential because of the time period in which his golf career took place. There were an array of historical events that not only impacted Elder, but also that were impacted by Elder’s participation in a sport that was dominated by whites. Elder’s story set the precedent for African American athletes following his time because he showed that it is possible to subdue and overcome racial segregation and hatred in not only sports, but in life as well.
Elder had such a strong historical and societal impact because of the events that took place throughout his years as a professional golfer. The Jim Crow Era was at its peak during the Elder’s life and this impacted how the public perceived him as an athlete. Back in the times of racial segregation, the sole distinguisher of a person’s character was the color of their skin. Their educational attainment, athletic abilities, and other attributions did not matter because no one would look past their race. Towards the end of the Jim Crow Era, there were bills that gave more rights to blacks, but still did not allow them to live in an integrated, harmonic society. The Voting Rights Act and The Civil Rights Act were two legislative initiatives to promote racial equality, but this by no means was the end to racial oppression in sports or society.
Although there were multiple Civil Rights activists such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, and Malcolm X, there was something unique about Lee Elder. He used his ability in his sport to connect the gap between whites and blacks in society. Since sports unite us, Elder is seen as such an influential Civil Rights figure because he changed the world of sports and the public perception of African Americans. His work was a steppingstone towards societal integration because he was able to integrate the sport of golf, which represented that every social institution could not remain segregated forever. He demonstrated how talent cannot be overlooked, overshadowed, or overpowered by race because he was just as capable as the white golfers he competed against. Elder’s career was a pivotal moment in society because he connected two races that were at war with each other.
There was certainly a diverse perception from the public over Elder’s participation in the 1975 Master’s. He received both threats and respect so there was a rather contrasting viewpoint of his presence. “It was very nerve-racking…I was shaking so badly, I did not know if I was even going to be able to tee up the ball.” Before the game even began, Elder had a glimpse of how some of the crowd would act towards him. He had to prepare and change in the parking lot since the clubhouse would not grant him entrance. In addition to his nerves, this feeling of being unwanted did not calm him. Another instance of the resistance toward the racial integration of the sport was when an audience member threw Elder’s golf ball into a bush. There was undoubtedly going to be some resisting forces, but there were also signs of support and encouragement that helped calm Elder. “The applause was the relieving factor for me—it really helped me to relax…The fact they clapped, let me know they had received me and they wanted me there to play, really helped.” Another amazing part of Elder’s journey was the courage that he showed throughout his entire career. Imagine being invited to a gathering and knowing that you will be unwanted, threatened, and bullied…would you want to go? After Elder missed qualifying to the Master’s multiple times because of the old point system they used to use in golf, he knew that he had a statement to make to the world in 1975. Although he understood the magnitude of the historical and societal barriers that he would defeat, it was intimidating because he had received such an immense amount of threats and backlash during his climb to the tournament. He debated not going, but what solidified his decision was the fact that his years of hard work were about to pay off and he would be the first African American to play in a professional tournament. “I think the reason why was there had been so much talk about no black man playing at Augusta and after all that I wasn’t going to qualify and not go.” He had a point to prove and that is exactly what he did. Lee Elder was a heroic figure who showed the world that racial integration was not impossible, detrimental, or this terrible change that would negatively impact society. He demonstrated that being an African American did not mean being less than Caucasians and this message is what set him apart from the other athletes of his time period.
The different opinions and controversy that Elder’s participation at the Master’s provoked was necessary for society because it was important to have the discussion of racial inclusion rather than simply adhering to the racial seclusion that most of America wanted. Lee Elder not only broke racial barriers, he also laid the foundation for other African American golfers following his time. Tiger Woods is one of golf’s most accomplished athletes because he was not only the youngest man to win the Masters, but also the first African American. Woods was born in 1975, the year that Elder played in the Masters. Although Woods did not face the same amount of pushback and hesitance from the public, his success is one to be admired. If it were not for Elder’s braveness, however, Woods golf career may have taken a much different path.
Even though Elder’s success broke racial barriers, he did not feel like his work has been appreciated over the years like it should have been. At the 40th anniversary of the 1975 Masters in 2015, he felt as though he should have been formally rewarded in some way. It was not Elder’s personal agenda to receive an award, but he thought it was an important message to remind the country of this accolade because of its current prevalence in society. “At Augusta I felt they should’ve certainly honored me some kind of way… So yes, I was disappointed. Very disappointed.” Being the first African American to play in your sport’s most famous competition was an extremely pivotal stepping stone towards racial integration in society. Despite our nation’s more inclusive attitude since Elder’s times, it would have been a good reminder to the public to formally recognize Elder at the 40th anniversary since race is and will always be a prevalent issue in our society.
Not only did Elder not receive the welcome he deserved from the Augusta National clubhouse, he also received a significant amount of hate mail and threats leading up to the event. “Watch your step when you get to Augusta, other letter writers warned him. There will be blood.” Elder was forced to switch between two houses and take extra precautions because of these threats. This makes us ask ourselves if we have really made progress towards racial inclusion. If this type of racial hatred still exists, is it just the integration laws that have changed in society? The most disappointing part about this is that is shows that racial hatred still exists and is an issue that will never completely disappear. Even though the laws that abolished blacks are no longer in effect, there is still a significant amount of racial aggression and racist actions in our society.
Lee Elder’s bravery and success as the first African American to play in the U.S. Masters is an accolade that should forever be commemorated. He demonstrated how race is not an indicator of ability and it should never determinate an individual’s potential. There are a number of African American athletes that have proceeded Elder’s time and their success in their sports might not have been possible if it were not for Elder’s courage to step out onto the course and take a stand against racial segregation. He not only changed the world of golf, he changed how America and the world viewed African Americans. He proved that he had earned the right to play in a sport dominated by whites. Elder is much more than a sports figure, he is a historical hero because he broke racial barriers and set a precedent for everyone in society, past and current, who hold racist attitudes. He showed that race should never inhibit a person from reaching their full potential, and that we should not let something uncontrollable and biological divide us.
Honor Code