09/10/2026
A Personal Reflection: The Call That Inspired My Journey:
About 12 or 13 years ago, while planning the Big Brooklyn Golf Show in New York, I had a vision of bringing golfers together for a historical and educational presentation to honor the game's rich history. During the event prep, I was given Lee Elder’s phone number. Getting to speak directly with him about his career and historic achievements was deeply inspiring—he was truly an incredible individual. While I only saw him in passing a few times later on, that conversation left a lasting mark on my own golf journey.
Years later, while putting together these historical features for our own 100 years of Golf and Gala in Lafayette, Louisiana my Uncle Al Damo shared another great memory: Lee was easily the best-dressed golfer on the course every single year he came out to play. Looking back, I feel incredibly grateful for the gentleman who paved the way for me and so many others in this game.
Paving the Way: Lee Elder’s Journey, Legacy, and History at the Cajun Classic in Lafayette, Louisiana
As we celebrate a landmark 100 years of golf right here in Lafayette—highlighted by our recent centennial gala celebrating a century of community, competition, and progress at our local course (formerly known as Muni and now proudly named the Jay & Lionel Hebert Golf Course)—we reflect on the legends who shaped the sport. Long before Lee Elder broke one of sport’s most historic barriers as the first African American to play in the Masters Tournament in 1975, his path as a PGA Tour professional was forged through grit, undeniable talent, and key milestones in South Louisiana.
The Lafayette Connection: The Cajun Classic
Elder’s arrival on the big stage ran directly through Lafayette, Louisiana.
After dominating the United Golf Association (UGA) circuit—winning 18 of 22 tournaments in a single stretch—Elder raised funds to attend Q-School and earned his PGA Tour card in late 1967.
PGA Tour Debut (1967): Elder made his official regular PGA Tour debut right here in Lafayette at the Cajun Classic Open Invitational, held at Oakbourne Country Club.
Impeccable Style & Presence: Beyond his ball-striking, Elder immediately turned heads with his dignity and sharp presentation. He walked onto the fairways as one of the best-dressed, most impeccably tailored golfers in the field every single week.
Season-Ending Stakes: Held at Oakbourne Country Club, the Cajun Classic served as the PGA Tour's official year-end event during the 1960s. It was an essential battleground where players fought for final money-list standings to secure tour privileges for the following year.
Desegregation Era in the Deep South: Following the 1961 repeal of the PGA’s "Caucasian-only" clause, the Cajun Classic became a crucial stop where Black pioneers—including Lee Elder, Charlie Sifford, and Pete Brown—competed on an integrated tour in the South.
The Battle That Announced His Arrival
During his 1968 rookie campaign, Elder proved he belonged at the absolute top of the sport. At the 1968 American Golf Classic at Firestone Country Club, Elder went head-to-head with Jack Nicklaus in a legendary five-hole sudden-death playoff.
While Nicklaus birdied the fifth extra hole to take the title, Elder's extraordinary composure under pressure against the "Golden Bear" captured national attention and established him as a major force in professional golf.
The Path to Augusta
Elder's early consistency at stops like Lafayette laid the groundwork for his landmark victory at the 1974 Monsanto Open. That triumph earned him an invitation to the 1975 Masters Tournament at Augusta National, breaking a long-standing color barrier and opening doors for generations of golfers to come.
From unforgettable phone calls to the historic fairways of Lafayette during our centennial era, Lee Elder’s story remains an enduring symbol of elegance, perseverance, and trailblazing achievement.
