Letter from Augusta: 'After today, no one will turn their head when a Black man walks to the first tee'

Lee Elder stood on the tee with his driver and soaked in a reception much warmer than the one that preceded his first appearance in 1975

HISTORY MAKER: Gary Player, Lee Elder, Fred Ridley, chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament, and Jack Nicklaus after the ceremonial first tees during the first round of the Masters in Augusta. Picture: Gregory Bull

AUGUSTA, Georgia — The Masters Tournament began Thursday morning with a tribute on the first tee for the first black man to compete at Augusta National.

Lee Elder, now 85 and dealing with some health issues, was unable to hit a tee shot with fellow honorary starters Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. He stood on the tee with his driver and soaked in a reception much warmer than the one that preceded his first appearance in 1975, when he endured death threats and slurs leading up to his breaking the colour barrier at Augusta National.