AUGUSTA, Ga. — From a distance, it was business as usual at the Masters’ ceremonial opening tee shots early Thursday morning.
A large crowd gathered near the first tee box as the first rays of sun peeked over the trees behind the clubhouse. Jack and Barbara Nicklaus walked to the tee together, flanked by two of their granddaughters. Green jacket-wearers mingled through the masses and shared stories in the minutes leading up to the 7:40 a.m. start.
Up close, though, it was obvious something special was happening.
By 7:20, the crowd closest to the tee box stood five deep in some areas — by far the largest gathering seen through three days among the pandemic-reduced crowds. A security detail spanning about 20 people was fanned out underneath the large oak tree outside the clubhouse, appearing to protect a group of VIP guests. Behind the tee, Phil Mickelson made his first appearance at the ceremony in several years, donning a green jacket and with his trusty thermos in hand, alongside Bubba Watson.
In a roped-off area next to the tee box, a group of roughly 50 wore green hats with “1975” embroidered on the front, and “Stay The Course” on the side. The group consisted of largely Black men and women, many of whom had made the trek to Augusta for this very moment.
They were here to see Lee Elder, who 46 years ago became the first Black man to compete in the Masters. On Thursday morning, Elder, who is 86, completed another Masters first when he became the first Black golfer to serve as an honorary starter at the event. The hats, which were designed, distributed and paid for by NBA star Steph Curry, commemorated this important bit of history.
“What this individual did, what Lee did in 1975 was extremely significant, he opened so many doors for the professionals here today,” said James E. Williams Jr., a patron from East St. Louis, Ill., adorning a signed “1975” hat. “But also for the interest in golf among all people in America. He was the first one, so it’s important to celebrate this moment.”
Shortly after 7:30, a current of electricity rippled through the crowd. Elder appeared on his cart in a sea foam green shirt. The crowd applauded.
Elder, whose health has him on oxygen and unable to hit a tee shot, moved gingerly out of the cart. But that was no matter to those in attendance, who pushed against the ropes toward Elder. The golfer responded with a thumbs up.
The ceremony lasted only a couple of minutes and resulted in a pair of fairways found by Nicklaus and Player. For Elder, the memory will last much longer than that.
“I certainly want to say thank you so very much for this great opportunity,” Elder said in a press conference afterward. “For me and my family, I think it was one of the most emotional experiences that I have ever witnessed or been involved in.”
Inside the ropes, the feeling was shared.
