Lee Elder’s importance to golf isn’t just measured by wins

Gary Player, who grew up in South Africa ravaged by apartheid, is perhaps the only golfer who understands what Elder has accomplished. “One of the things that was pretty sad,” Player told Sports Illustrated in 2008, “is that Americans don’t know how meaningful what Lee did. Many athletes are greatly rewarded for their athletic prowess. I think Lee Elder has done something to defeat the strength of an athlete. “