[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 208 (Thursday, December 2, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1309]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  LEE ELDER: GROUNDBREAKING GOLFER, MAKING A FAIR WAY ON THE FAIRWAYS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KWEISI MFUME

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 2, 2021

  Mr. MFUME. Madam Speaker, throughout my years in Congress, I have 
found it is not often that someone is as impactful or influential in 
breaking the color barrier in a sport or changing the culture of 
country clubs as the person for whom I stand today. I am honored to 
rise to recognize someone who found a more fair way on the fairways of 
professional golf; from Pensacola, Florida to Johannesburg, South 
Africa all the way to Augusta National and many courses in between, 
this groundbreaking golfer recently passed away. This incredible 
ambassador for the game was a gentleman both on the links and in real 
life, Mr. Lee Elder.
  With 16 professional tour wins, including his breakthrough at the 
Monsanto Open in Pensacola in 1974, Lee Elder was the first African 
American to win a PGA Tour event. Mr. Elder was, however, a champion in 
more ways than one. He was a Black man born in the Jim Crow South who 
taught himself how to play golf on segregated courses. Working as a 
caddy he surmounted the hardships of being orphaned at a young age. In 
his early golfing days in the United Golf Association, Lee gained 
prominence for his skill and approach to the game.
  Much like Jackie Robinson in Major League Baseball, Mr. Elder who 
chose to stand against the stain of racism, had to endure many 
indignities. He broke through on the PGA Tour in 1968 as a 34-year-old 
golfer. From changing clothes in parking lots because Black people were 
not allowed in the clubhouse to getting death threats for playing in 
the Masters in Augusta, Georgia, he overcame obstacles. He went to 
South Africa during the height of apartheid. He protested PGA rules 
allowing golfers to play at Sun City, Bophutswana, an outpost for 
segregation. He spoke out against country clubs which still excluded 
Black players as late as 1990. Mr. Elder helped Black golfers for whom 
he created Summer Youth Development Programs. All these acts define a 
champion of civil rights.
  I stand today, Madam Speaker, for Lee Elder, not only for his 
dedication to the game of golf but also for his outstanding commitment 
in paving the way for people of color to pursue their passions in both 
their studies and their sports. Using his fame and fortune to establish 
a foundation to help Black students and the United Negro College Fund 
is also an important part of his legacy. Standing on the shoulders of 
such an athlete shows us what we all know in our hearts to be true: 
without the likes of Lee Elder, there might not be a Tiger Woods nor 
entry into Country Clubs. Mr. Eider's efforts yielded a fairer way on 
all fairways across this land.