Biography

Lee Elder was born on July 14, 1934 in Dallas, Texas, USA. He was married to Sharon and Rose Lorraine Harper. He died on November 28, 2021 in Escondido, California, USA.

Professional Golf player

He was the youngest of eight children, and lost both his parents by the age of seven.

In 1967 he raised enough money to attend qualifying school for the PGA Tour, and got his tour card for 1968. One time, a spectator stole his ball from the fairway so he lost a shot. At some clubs he had to change in the parking lot, because black players were not allowed in the club house.

By winning the Monsanto Open in 1974, he automatically qualified to play in the Masters tournament the following year. He was 40 years old at his first Masters. He received many intimidating letters, including death threats. He rented two houses in Georgia, and spent the tournament moving between the two homes so no-one would know for sure where he was staying.

As a child, he tried to get a job as a caddy, but he was so small he couldn't carry the bags. The golf pro hired him to collect stray balls until he was big enough to start caddying. His first golf club was given to him by a man he caddied for. He took his first practice shots in an empty field across the road from the course where he worked.