By Counts                                            H.C.R. No. 136
         77R6629 GMW-D                           
                             HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
 1-1           WHEREAS, The Texas Legislature takes pleasure in honoring
 1-2     Charles Coody, the outstanding professional golfer from Abilene;
 1-3     and
 1-4           WHEREAS, A native Texan, this esteemed gentleman was born in
 1-5     Stamford and was raised in rural West Texas; after being diagnosed
 1-6     with polio at the age of 13, he began playing golf for exercise
 1-7     after being told he was not allowed to play contact sports; and
 1-8           WHEREAS, Mr. Coody went on to attend Texas Christian
 1-9     University, where he earned a degree in business in 1960; a
1-10     standout on the Horned Frogs golf team, he qualified for the U.S.
1-11     Open as an amateur in 1960 and 1961 and advanced to the semifinals
1-12     of the U.S. Amateur in 1962; and
1-13           WHEREAS, After joining the Professional Golf Association
1-14     (PGA) in 1963, he won three events and consistently ranked near the
1-15     top of the money list during his more than two decades on tour; his
1-16     banner year proved to be 1971, when he represented his country on
1-17     the U.S. Ryder Cup Team and won the prestigious Masters tournament,
1-18     making birdies on two of the last four holes to fend off formidable
1-19     links legends Jack Nicklaus and Johnny Miller; and
1-20           WHEREAS, In 1987, Mr. Coody became a member of the Senior PGA
1-21     tour, and in the ensuing years he has continued his winning ways,
1-22     claiming victories in five tournaments, including two in 1991;
1-23     moreover, he has paired with Dale Douglass to three times capture
1-24     first place at the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf Tournament; and
 2-1           WHEREAS, In 2000, this civic-minded gentleman created the
 2-2     Diamondback Charity Classic, a pro-am tournament featuring players
 2-3     from the Senior PGA tour, local professionals, and amateur golfers;
 2-4     the event raised more than $125,000 for the benefit of Hendrick
 2-5     Hospice Care, which is affiliated with Hendrick Medical Center of
 2-6     Abilene, and the NOAH Project, a shelter for abused women and
 2-7     children in its inaugural year; and
 2-8           WHEREAS, In addition, he serves as host of the Charles Coody
 2-9     Classic, a tournament held each year in Fort Worth that benefits
2-10     Catholic charities in the area as well as the Texas Christian
2-11     University Golf Scholarship fund; Mr. Coody also plays in numerous
2-12     charity outings across the country each year, raising countless
2-13     dollars for many worthwhile charities; and
2-14           WHEREAS, A proud member of the Texas Golf Hall of Fame,
2-15     Mr. Coody is a highly regarded citizen of Abilene where he is a
2-16     valued member of St. Paul United Methodist Church; together with
2-17     his wife, Lynette, he raised a fine family that today includes his
2-18     children, Caryn, Kyle, and Kristyn, as well as four grandchildren;
2-19     and
2-20           WHEREAS, Charles Coody has long distinguished himself both on
2-21     and off the golf course, and is a source of great pride to his
2-22     fellow Texans; now, therefore, be it
2-23           RESOLVED, That the 77th Legislature of the State of Texas
2-24     hereby honor Charles Coody for his many significant accomplishments
2-25     and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued success and
2-26     happiness; and, be it further
2-27           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
 3-1     prepared for Mr. Coody as an expression of high regard by the Texas
 3-2     House of Representatives and Senate.