Lee Elder Wiki, Age, Bio, Wife, Family, Eye, Masters, Honorary starter, Net Worth

Lee Elder Biography – Lee Elder Wiki

Lee Elder is a retired American professional golfer. In 1975, Lee became the first African-American to play in the Master’s Tournament, where he missed the cut. The 1975 Master’s Tournament was played in Augusta, Georgia, United States. Lee received the invitation to the Master’s tournament after he won the 1974 Monsanto Open. Born Robert Lee Elder was born on July 14, 1934, in Dallas, Texas, United States. He attended Manual Arts High School, while there he would work as a caddie, Lee later dropped out.

He turned professional in 1959, Lee’s golf career took a significant step after playing a match with heavyweight boxer Joe Louis, which led to Louis’s golf instructor, Ted Rhodes, taking Elder under his wing for three years. In 1959, he was drafted into the Army and was sent to Fort Lewis, Washington. While in the Army, Lee got a chance to play golf. In 1961, Lee was discharged from the army and joined the United Golf Association Tour (UGA) for black players.

In 1967 he attended qualifying school for the PGA Tour. Lee finished 9th out of a class of 122 and gained his tour card for 1968. In 1971 he received a personal invitation from Gary Player to participate in the South African PGA Championship in Johannesburg, South Africa. The tournament marked the first integrated tournament in the country’s history. The same year he won the Nigerian Open. In 1979, Lee became the first African American to qualify for play in the Ryder Cup. Lee later joined the Senior PGA Tour, in 1984. In 2005, Lee retired from golfing. During the Masters 2021, Elder will be an honorary starter at Augusta National.

Lee Elder Age

He was born on July 14, 1934, in Dallas, Texas, United States.

Lee Elder Wife

He is married to his wife Sharon Elder. Lee was previously married to his former wife Rose Harper. The couple met at a golf tournament in Washington, D.C.They got married in 1966. Upon getting married, Rose stopped playing golf to become Lee’s manager. The couple was later divorced.

Lee Elder Family

He is the son of Charles Elder and Almeta Elder. When he was just 9 years old, his father was killed in Germany during World War II, and his mother died three months later. Lee thus had to live in the ghettos but later moved to Los Angeles, California where he lived with his aunt.

Lee Elder Height

He stands at a height of 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 m) tall.

Lee Elder Net Worth

Lee Elder’s net worth is estimated to be $5 million.