The applause started when
Lee Elder’s golf cart began moving toward the first tee. It only got louder when he arrived and slowly made his way to his seat.
And moments later, Masters Chairman
Fred Ridley said words 46 years in the making.
“Lee, it is my privilege to say, you have the honors,” Ridley said.
That prompted the first roar of the 2021 Masters Tournament.
Lee Elder gestures as he arrives for the ceremonial tee shots before the first round of the Masters golf tournament on Thursday, April 8, 2021, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Elder the first Black man to play the Masters rose from his chair, hoisted his driver skyward for a moment, then nodded, smiled and waved in appreciation of the hundreds of people who crowded around the first tee to see history happen. He joined
With a wave and smile, Lee Elder helps open the Masters Lee Elder waves with Gary Player before the ceremonial first tee the first round of the Masters golf tournament on Thursday, April 8, 2021, in Augusta, Ga. (Source: AP Photo/Matt Slocum) By Associated Press | April 8, 2021 at 9:21 AM CDT - Updated April 8 at 5:51 PM
AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) â The applause started when Lee Elderâs golf cart began moving toward the first tee. It only got louder when he arrived and slowly made his way to his seat.
And moments later, Masters Chairman Fred Ridley said words 46 years in the making.
âLee, it is my privilege to say, you have the honors,â Ridley said.
Masters: Augusta National plays through debate over Georgia voting law
The azaleas are beginning to pop as Jordan Spieth chips to the 13th green during his practice round for the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on Tuesday, April 6, 2021, in Augusta, Ga. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP) Curtis Compton / Curtis.Compton@ajc.com
Cameron Champ watches his tee shot on the second hole during a practice round for the Masters golf tournament on Wednesday, April 7, 2021, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Charlie Riedel
The azaleas are beginning to pop as Dustin Johnson hits his bunker shot to the 12th green during his practice round for the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on Tuesday, April 6, 2021, in Augusta, Ga. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP) Curtis Compton / Curtis.Compton@ajc.com
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Masters notebook: With a wave and smile, Lee Elder helps open the tournament
There may have only been hundreds of people to applaud, but Lee Elder – the first Black man to play the Masters – gets a roaring reception to open the Masters.
Associated Press
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Honorary starter Lee Elder, left, gestures as he is introduced and applauded by honorary starters Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus, right, before the ceremonial tee shots to begin the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., on Thursday.
Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP
AUGUSTA, Ga. The applause started when Lee Elder’s golf cart began moving toward the first tee. It only got louder when he arrived and slowly made his way to his seat.
Masters chairman addresses Georgia s new voting law
Published article
AUGUSTA, Ga. - While a tempest brews outside Magnolia Lane over Georgia’s voting rights law, Augusta National would prefer to keep the focus on blooming azaleas, pimento cheese sandwiches and tricky greens.
That strategy has served the home of the Masters well in previous debates over efforts to keep out Black and female members.
So, it was no surprise when Chairman Fred Ridley played through any attempt Wednesday to ensnare his club in another contentious issue. We realize that views and opinions on this law differ, and there have been calls for boycotts and other punitive measures, Ridley said during his annual State of the Masters news conference on the eve of the opening round. Unfortunately, those actions often impose the greatest burdens on the most vulnerable in our society.