Clifford Roberts
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Clifford Roberts (March 6, 1894 – September 29, 1977) was an American golf administrator.
Born in Morning Sun, Iowa, Roberts served as Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club from 1931 through 1976 and was named "Chairman in Memoriam" after his death. He also served as Chairman of the Masters Tournament from 1934 through 1976.
An astute investment banker, Roberts made his mark on Wall Street as a partner with Reynolds & Company. He was the co-founder with Bobby Jones of Augusta National Golf Club. In the early years, he and Jones personally extended invitations to the tournament. Moreover, his friendship with America's 34th president led Dwight Eisenhower to make Augusta National his retreat during the 1950s.
Roberts was sometimes described as a 'benevolent dictator'. Roberts received many awards and honors during his lifetime including service on the PGA Advisory Committee from its inception in 1943 until his death, appointment by the USGA to serve on the Bob Jones Award Selection Committee, and enshrinement in the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1978. He was the author of The Story of the Augusta National Golf Club, published in 1976, and a subject of a book titled, The Making of the Masters, Cliff Roberts, Augusta National, and Golf's Most Prestigious Tournament, published in 1999.
It wasn't until 1975, that Lee Elder became the first black golfer to play in the Masters Tournament (although he wasn't the first non-white golfer to compete, for example Sukree Onsham of Thailand played in 1970 and 1971). Roberts is quoted as saying "to make an exception would be practicing discrimination in reverse." Lee Elder later said, "I don't want anything special. I will make it on my own."
Roberts committed suicide by gunshot in 1977 on the banks of the par 3 course at Augusta.
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