Augusta mayor to declare Thursday as Lee Elder Day

Augusta Mayor Hardie Davis will issue a proclamation naming Thursday Lee Elder Day, and 17 other black golfers will be honored for their efforts in breaking the sport’s color barrier, according to Augusta businessman Gordon Renshaw.

Renshaw and businessmen David Jones and David Rachels organized the invitation-only event at The Lodge hospitality house, where they expect celebrities to be among the 200 guests.

“This is a man that faced tremendous adversity, and all he did was show grace, humility, boldness and class,” Renshaw said of Elder, who was the first black player to compete in the Masters Tournament in 1975. “I would feel sick if the 40th anniversary passed by and we didn’t make a valiant effort to do something special.”

Renshaw said three-time Mas­ters champ Gary Player will share remarks about Elder’s contributions and politician Herman Cain, musician Darius Rucker and U.S. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina will also be present at the event, which will be emceed by comedian Chris Tucker.

Davis said it will be an honor to show Elder what his bravery and accomplishments have meant to the sport and to the community.

“Lee Elder is one of the individuals who broke the color barrier, and to recognize him is another way for the world to say thank you,” Davis said.

Elder, who was at the Masters on Tuesday, is quick to point out his appreciation to Augusta Na­tional Golf Club.

“The Augusta National has been absolutely tremendous to me this week,” Elder said beside the clubhouse. “They’ve been gracious enough to grant me badges for friends and family.”

There is one wish, however, that Elder would have liked to happen.

“With this being the 40th anniversary, I wish I had received an invitation to play in the Par-3 Contest,” Elder said. “Just for this year, wouldn’t it have been neat for the featured group to be Nicklaus, Player, Crenshaw … and Elder? Man, I would have loved that.”

Elder believes patrons and fellow players would have enjoyed seeing him compete in Wednes­day’s annual event.

“I think it would have been a tremendous gesture – not only for me but also for the fans,” Elder said. “I think the fans and many other players would have loved it.”