The Story of Henry Brown: More Than Just a Masters Caddie

AUGUSTA, Georgia — Fifty years ago, when Lee Elder broke barriers as the first Black golfer in the Masters, he preferred to let his golf speak for itself. “I`m not talking,” Elder stated to reporters on April 7, 1975, wary of misinterpretation. His wife and agent reinforced his stance, emphasizing his focus was solely on playing golf.

However, Elder`s caddie, Henry J. Brown, a local taxi driver, was never one to shy away from words. He confidently declared that if Elder didn`t perform well among golf legends like Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Johnny Miller, it wouldn`t be due to his caddying.

“I`m number one,” Brown proclaimed, boasting his intimate knowledge of the Augusta course. “I can navigate it backward. Lee just needs to stay calm. I guarantee he won`t be out-caddied.”

That week, while Elder made history as the first African American to compete in the prestigious Masters Tournament at a historically exclusive club, his achievement also shone a light on Henry Brown, a remarkable personality whose story has remained largely untold for half a century.

Dave Wilmes, who befriended Brown in Indiana in the 1980s, described him as “a hell of a character and a hell of a golfer.” He recalled Brown`s exceptional skills on the course, particularly his short game, and his flamboyant personality.

A Caddie`s Dream and a Historic Invitation

For the Masters` initial four decades, the golfing participants were exclusively white, while the caddies were Black. By the early 1970s, Brown hoped Elder`s presence could challenge this norm. For four years, he had requested to caddie for Elder should he qualify for the Masters.

Elder`s victory at the Monsanto Open in 1974 secured his Masters invitation. Shortly after, Augusta National`s chairman, Clifford Roberts, officially extended the invitation for the 1975 tournament.

While Elder wasn`t the first Black golfer to win a PGA Tour event, his victory was significant as it came after the Masters changed its qualification criteria, opening doors for Black players.

When Elder arrived at Augusta National, Brown was there to greet him. Despite his self-assurance, Brown wasn`t considered the most celebrated caddie at Augusta National. That honor was typically attributed to figures like Willie Peterson, Willie `Pappy` Stokes, or Nathaniel `Iron Man` Avery. However, Brown had already witnessed a significant moment in Masters history.

In the 1968 Masters, Brown caddied for Roberto De Vicenzo, involved in a notorious scorecard error that cost him a playoff. De Vicenzo, after a birdie on the 17th, was marked down for a par by his playing partner, Tommy Aaron. Failing to correct it, De Vicenzo signed the incorrect scorecard, losing by a single stroke to Bob Goalby.

Brown later recounted his attempt to confront Aaron after the incident, feeling he had wronged De Vicenzo. Subsequently, Brown also caddied for Goalby and past Masters champion Art Wall Jr.

On April 10, 1975, at the Masters` opening round, Elder`s first tee experience was understandably nerve-wracking. He even humorously mistook a scoring pencil for a cigarette lighter. To ease the tension, he engaged with the spectators about the drizzling weather.

Jim Brown, the former NFL star, watched Elder`s opening shot. Elder had also arranged for a large number of badges for friends and family, exceeding even those requested by legends like Nicklaus and Palmer.

Despite the historic moment, Elder and Brown`s caddying styles didn`t immediately align. Brown preferred judging distances visually, while Elder relied on precise yardages.

Elder noted in Ward Clayton`s book about Augusta caddies that Brown`s caddying approach differed from his preference for yardage-based play.

After an initial birdie, Elder faced challenges, eventually missing the cut. Despite his personal disappointment, Elder acknowledged the pressure of the moment.

Brown, however, recognized Elder`s composure under pressure, noting his professional demeanor even amidst the high stakes.

De Vicenzo, when asked about Brown, praised him as a “fine caddie” and surprisingly suggested that Brown, as a golfer himself, might even be able to outplay him.

Henry Brown`s Golf Prowess Beyond Caddying

Ike `Stabber` Choice, a fellow Augusta National caddie, recalled Brown`s golfing talent at the local Augusta Municipal Golf Course, known as the Patch. Brown and others often played against visiting Black golfers, frequently winning due to Brown`s intimate knowledge of the course.

Choice mentioned Brown`s unconventional cross-handed grip and his ambidextrous play. He often played at the Patch with other Augusta caddies, including notable figures like Jim Dent, who later achieved success on the Senior PGA Tour.

In an unexpected turn, Larry Adamson from the USGA received a letter from Brown in 1980, written from Richmond County Jail. Brown, detained on accusations later dropped, sought Adamson`s help to qualify for the U.S. Open, even proposing unusual qualifying conditions from jail.

Despite missing deadlines and unconventional requests, Brown`s determination to compete was evident. Robert Lee, an attorney involved in U.S. Open qualifiers, remembers Brown`s confident arrival at South Bend Country Club, declaring his intent to win the U.S. Open and presenting his Augusta National caddie ID as proof of his golf credentials.

Life Beyond Augusta and a Tire Blowout

Brown`s connection to a salvage yard in South Bend wasn`t just an address; it was where he showcased his golf skills to workers on Friday afternoons, entertaining them with trick shots and golf tales.

Lee described Brown`s ability to hit targets with precision, even with unconventional grips, often winning bets with his cross-handed technique.

In 1982, Brown finally managed to submit his U.S. Open application on time. During the qualifier, a flat tire incident in the parking lot became a memorable part of his journey. Despite the disruption, Brown excelled, tying for the lead and advancing to sectional qualifying.

Even a flat tire couldn`t deter him; as local media interviewed him post-qualifying, his tire was being changed by two women who appeared and quickly left.

Brown narrowly missed qualifying for the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach in sectional qualifying and continued to reach this stage for the next three years, always falling short of the major championship itself.

Adamson remembered Brown`s resilience and good humor, contrasting him with other disappointed players. Despite repeated setbacks and missed opportunities, Brown remained undeterred.

In 1992, John Fineran encountered a car with Georgia plates and an Augusta National caddie hat at a hospital, realizing Brown`s health had worsened. Brown passed away shortly after at 53, leaving behind a legacy marked by unfulfilled potential.

Jim Murray, in 1975, captured Brown`s life story, highlighting his humble beginnings, his early start as a caddie, and his dual life as a caddie and taxi driver. Murray pondered how different Brown`s life might have been with different circumstances, recognizing his talent was perhaps overlooked due to societal barriers.