George Floyd’s death has accelerated golf’s diversity drive but Augusta has a troubled past and white faces still dominate
Lee Elder’s appearance next Thursday morning as an honorary starter for the 85th edition of the Masters will – metaphorically of course – see rose petals thrown at the feet of those in high office at Augusta National. Perhaps it is churlish not to commend organisations for doing the right thing but the extent to which Augusta endorsed discrimination for so long means modern-day praise is always over the top. Augusta sat in a time warp for a significant enough period for it not to be forgotten.
In 1975 Elder became the first African American to compete in the Masters. It took until 1990 for Augusta to admit a member from the same ethnic group. When the world’s leading players line up behind Elder to joust for a Green Jacket, white faces will again dominate.
Related: Augusta should not have taken 50 years to honour the pioneering Lee Elder | Andy Bull
Little things happen throughout a tournament year. People would assume because I’m black that I was a caddie.
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