Written by By Allan Berg, CNN
Legendary pro golfer Lee Elder opened the sport to a new generation in the early 1960s with the pioneering Championship Tour.
Elder was the first black professional golfer in the United States to win an LPGA tournament and only the third to win a U.S. national title — after Tom Watson and Ben Hogan — according to the Golf Channel
The photo gallery above, compiled by Manfred Burr, features top tournament images from Elder’s career. Scroll through to see more — or check out archived images from Elder’s Tour career here .
3. 1968 MADELEINE VILLARD, LPGA REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP: Deep in the woods, Lee Elder stands over the drive.
4. 1953 BOSTON CANADA COUNTRY CLUB CLASSIC: Elder’s drive nearly finds the green, though no hole-in-one.
5. 1938 NASHUA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP: Elder tees off in Round 3 at the Plymouth Country Club.
6. 1948 HENRY HORTON JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP: Lee Elder sits on the green after a birdie putt.
7. 1948 WASHINGTON NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP: Elder is all smiles after winning his first LPGA Tour title at the par 3 12th.
8. 1951 ESEBRO STATE CHAMPIONSHIP: A shot from Elder stalls near the ball marker on the 17th hole at Lebanon Country Club.
9. 1961 MADELEINE VILLARD VICTORY: A scene from the 1972 LPGA Championship at the Ocean Course in Hawaii.
10. 1972 WASHINGTON NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP: Elder watches the putt on the fifth green.
11. 1973 HOLLYWOOD REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP: Elder crosses the first green during his homeward run.
12. 1971 GREYHOUND CLASSIC: Elder hits his second shot on the Par 4 9th hole at Riverside Country Club.
13. 1968 MADELEINE VILLARD, LPGA REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP: Elder prepares to putt on the 18th green in his first-ever victory on the LPGA Tour.
14. 1972 WASHINGTON NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP: Lee Elder’s drive finds the hole on the 3rd hole at the Par-4 6th hole at Lebanon Country Club.
15. 1973 GREYHOUND CLASSIC: Elder tees off on the Par-4 8th hole at Riverside Country Club.
16. 1984 BUSDC NATIONALS: Elder lines up his short putt on the par-4 18th green in Dallas.
17. 1947 SAN JUAN NATIONAL GOLF CLASSIC: Elder is energized by the applause from the crowd at the 16th hole at Willow Oaks Country Club.
18. 1946 SAN JUAN NATIONAL GOLF CLASSIC: Elder tees off on the Par-5 4th hole at Willow Oaks Country Club.
19. 1959 CULVER CITY COURSES: Elder tees off on the Par-4 15th hole at Forest Glen Country Club.
20. 1944 LADY DODGERS CHAMPIONSHIP: An experienced Lee Elder prepares to hit his tee shot on the opening hole at Sunnyvale Golf Course.
21. 1950 WASHINGTON NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP: Lee Elder lines up his drive on the 13th hole at Lebanon Country Club.
22. 1955 TELTECNIC CHAMPIONSHIP: The ball rests on the 11th green at Lebanon Country Club.
23. 1955 TELTECNIC CHAMPIONSHIP: Lee Elder gets a hug from his girlfriend Diane Rawlins after winning the tournament.
24. 1955 TELTECNIC CHAMPIONSHIP: The final flight of play is delayed due to a storm.
25. 1961 LISBON COUNTRY CLUB CLASSIC: Elder’s tee shot falls just short on the second hole of the par-4 10th hole.
26. 1961 LISBON COUNTRY CLUB CLASSIC: Elder hits a fairway wood to the Par-5 4th hole.
27. 1955 LISBON COUNTRY CLUB CLASSIC: Lee Elder hits a fairway wood on the ninth hole at Lebanon Country Club.
28. 1955 LISBON COUNTRY CLUB CLASSIC: Lee Elder celebrates his first career LPGA Tour win on the 18th green of Lebanon Country Club.