Lee elder

The first African American to play in the Masters Golf Tournament, one of ten children, Robert Lee Elder was born in Dallas, Texas, on July 14, 1934 to Charles and Almeta Elder. He was nine years oldwhen his father was killed in Germany during World War II, and his mother died three months later. At the age of 12, Elder found himself moving from one ghetto to another before being sent to LosAngeles, California to live with his aunt. Elder frequently cut classes to work as a caddy, and after two years at Manual Arts High School he dropped out. Elder did not play a full round of 18 holesuntil he was 16. He took jobs in pro shops and locker rooms, in addition to caddying where he developed his game by watching his clients, and playing when he had the opportunity. Elder's game developedsufficiently for him to start hustling. His career took a big step after playing a match with heavyweight boxer Joe Louis, which led to Louis’s golf instructor, Ted Rhodes, taking Elder under his wingfor three years. Under the tutelage of Rhodes, Elder was able to polish his game and he began playing in tournaments.
In 1959, Elder was drafted into the Army, and was sent to Fort Lewis, Washington.While at Fort Lewis, Elder had the good fortune to be under the command of Colonel John Gleaster who was an avid golfer. Gleaster put Elder in a special services unit, which allowed him theopportunity to play golf on a steady basis. Elder was discharged from the army in 1961, and joined the United Golf Association Tour (UGA) for black players. He had a dominant stretch in which he won 18 of 22consecutive tournaments, but this tour did not have large prizes. Elder met his future wife, Rose Harper, at a golf tournament in Washington, D.C. The two proceeded to get married in 1966. After gettingmarried, Rose gave up her golfing career to become his manager.
He gained his Professional Golf Association tour card in 1968 and he won his first PGA tournament in 1974.That came at the Monsanto...