During this prominent year of racial injustice, the first Black player in the Masters league of golf was officially honoured.  Lee Elder, the first black Masters player, made his barrier breaking debut back in 1975.  Today, he is honoured with two scholarships in his name for students of Paine college and an honorary tee shot next year.  

Elder’s breaking barrier moment occurred at the 1974 Pensacola Open where he won the tournament, which made him eligible for the 1975 Masters.  His actions showed society that he belonged.  The issues of racial equality, especially in the sport of golf, is still a topic of conversation in today’s generation.  A study about the Professional Golfers’ Association Tour, the current major golf industry, demonstrates that golf continues to be occupied mainly by White golfers. Not only does golf still revolve around the white male population, it’s equality in gender still poses concerns for female golfers.   

Paine college did not have a female golf program until now.  Augusta National, the well-known local golf club in Augusta, Georgia, has begun paying and supporting the initiative for the inclusion of women into the sport of golf because of Elder’s historical moment.  Allowing females an equal opportunity to participate in sport shows the improvements of gender inequality.  As Chinurum, Ogunjlmi, and O’Neill describe, female athletes are making great strides in gaining equal representation in society as more opportunities arise for women in sports. However, it is still important we continue to push racial and gender barriers to continue supporting both black athletes and women athletes in sport today.  

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Featured image: Lee Elder poses for Masters golf tournament picture. (Source: Chris Carlson/AP)