The iconic Masters golf tournament is honoring a key figure in its history, both now and when it returns to its normal place on the golf calendar in 2021.
Lee Elder, who 45 years ago became the first Black player to compete in the famed annual major, will be an honorary spot starter at the 2021 Masters, club officials announced.
As well, the club said it has established a pair of scholarships in Elder's name at nearby Paine College, an HBCU.
Elder, 86, said he was thrilled for both honors, and is looking forward to joining contemporaries Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player to mark what will be the 85th Masters in tournament history.
“The opportunity to earn an invitation to the Masters and stand at that first tee was my dream, and to have it come true in 1975 remains one of the greatest highlights of my career and life,” Elder said. “So to be invited back to the first tee one more time to join Jack and Gary for next year’s Masters means the world to me."
Elder qualified automatically for the '75 Masters after winning the Monsanto Open the preceding year, according to Reuters.
He had previously played in several majors, including the US Open and PGA Championship, but his appearance at the famously exclusive Augusta National held extra symbolic value given its location and its all-white membership, which didn't end until its first black member was welcomed in 1990.
Elder missed the cut at his first Masters but played in five more, with his best finishing coming at 17th place in 1979. The native Texan retired from the tour with four career wins, and later picked up eight more on the senior tour in the 1980s.
Meanwhile the scholarships will be awarded to student-athletes on Paine's golf teams, club president Fred Ridley said, including the newly created women's team.
"It also gives me great pride to know that my first Masters appearance continues to make a positive impact on others," Elder said. "Throughout my career, helping young men and women achieve their dreams through education has been a cause close to my heart. I am deeply honored to share a connection with Paine College and these scholarships, which will provide life-changing opportunities for the deserving recipients.”
The 2020 Masters was pushed back to this month because of the coronavirus crisis. The first round was set to tee off on Thursday.