As Earl Woods says, green and black can mesh
By Jeff Babineau
The Orlando Sentinel
(KRT)
AUGUSTA, Ga. - Lee Elder, a black man who broke the color barrier
at the Masters 22 years ago, stood behind the clubhouse at staid
Augusta National Golf Club early Sunday afternoon, unable to hold
back the pride that was pumping through his 62-year-old heart.
Orlando's Tiger Woods, three months past his 21st birthday,
was a few hours from fulfilling a dream by winning the 61st Masters
Tournament.
This was a dream that did not belong to Woods alone.
Two days before the 50th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking
Major League Baseball's color barrier, Woods' 12-shot victory
at the Masters was a shining moment that transcended golf. It
created a historic snapshot shared by many, from the dozens of
minority employees collecting litter at Augusta National to several
long-time black caddies on hand to virtually all corners of the
globe.
For the first time in the history of golf, a man of color had
captured one of its major championships, and the method with which
Woods won it was overpowering. By one shot, he broke the tournament
record shared by Jack Nicklaus and Raymond Floyd, shooting 18-under-par
270. Woods became the youngest player to win the Masters.
"I think any golfer as a kid has dreamed of playing the
Masters and winning it," said Woods, whose father, Earl,
is African-American and his mother, Kultida, is Thai. His winning
round of 69 ended with a long hug from both.
"I think more young people will start to play the game.
I think that now kids will think golf is cool, really."
Elder, who in 1975 became the first black to play in the Masters
at a club where minority members were not admitted until six years
ago, rose from two hours of sleep at 5:30 a.m. to make the trip
from Pompano Beach. He even collected a speeding ticket in Georgia
along the way. The ticket will be worth the price. He did not
wish to miss a chance to watch history in the making.
"I think this certainly means a lot for a lot of minorities,
because it's going to be a situation where he's going to be a
role model," Elder said. "A lot of kids who are now
not involved in golf will turn to golf because they see what they
can possibly do.
"And no one will turn their head when a black man walks
to the first tee after this."
Woods, who a year ago played in his second Masters Tournament
shortly after taking finals to end his sophomore year at Stanford,
has taken the world of golf by storm since turning professional
last August. Sunday marked his fourth victory on the PGA Tour
in 15 events as a professional.
But Woods' stamp promises to include more than just winning
golf tournaments. He said he hopes his success in golf will help
to break down some discriminatory barriers that exist against
minorities and women in the game.
"The opportunity that Tiger Woods has, he's got an opportunity
to do something for the human race, more than any golfer has ever
had, I believe," said South Africa's Gary Player, one of
the greatest golfers ever. "Imagine black people in Africa,
400 million people, watching Tiger Woods win the Masters.
"We've had some wonderful black golfers in Charlie Sifford,
Lee Elder and Calvin Peete - outstanding golfers - but we've never
had a world champion who is a black golfer. To me, this is very,
very exciting. He's bringing in a new breed of people, young people
who have never even thought about golf."
As Woods walked up the final fairway with his commanding lead,
his thoughts turned to many of the pioneers who made it possible
for him to pursue his career as a pro golfer.
"All night, I thought about them and what they did,"
Woods said shortly before slipping his first green jacket over
his shoulders at Augusta National's famed Butler Cabin. "Coming
up the 18th hole today, I said a little prayer for those guys.
" 'Thanks, guys.' "
Earl Woods, the proud father, surveyed his son in his new champion's
jacket.
"Green and black go well together."
(c) 1997, The Orlando Sentinel (Fla.).
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