Calvin Peete, whose life traced one of sport’s most triumphant arcs — a school dropout with a crooked left arm who did not pick up a golf club until his 20s, did not join the pro tour until his 30s, and still became one of the leading players of his era and the most successful black professional golfer before Tiger Woods — has died. He was 71.
The Murray Brothers Funeral Home in Atlanta confirmed the death, giving no other information. The Associated Press reported that Peete died on Wednesday.
A self-taught player who never hit especially long, Peete was one of golf’s most accurate drivers and fairway players.