H.R. No. 171

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, Texas golf legend Jack Burke, Jr., has been named

the winner of the 2011 William D. Richardson Award by the Golf

Writers Association of America, in recognition of his outstanding

contributions to the sport; and

WHEREAS, Born in Fort Worth in 1923, Jack Burke began

learning the game at age seven, tutored by his father, who was the

pro at the River Oaks Country Club in Houston; Mr. Burke became a

club pro himself at age 18 but put his career on hold to serve in the

U.S. Marine Corps during World War II; and

WHEREAS, In the years following the war, professional golf

was initially dominated by older players, but Mr. Burke changed

that, winning four PGA tournaments in 1950 at the age of 27; two

years later, he won four consecutive tournaments and went on to

compile a career total of 16 victories, including first-place

finishes in both the Masters Tournament and the PGA Championship in

1956; he played on the American Ryder Cup team throughout the 1950s,

was its nonplaying captain in 1973, and served as a special

assistant to the team captain in 2004; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Burke's prominent role in the game has extended

beyond his stellar performances on the course; in 1957, he and

another well-known Texas golfer, Jimmy Demaret, opened the

Champions Golf Club in Houston; through the years, the club has

hosted the Ryder Cup, the U.S. Open, and the U.S. Amateur

Championship in addition to numerous other tournaments; Mr. Burke

has also served as a coach to younger PGA players, including current

star Phil Mickelson; and

WHEREAS, Widely admired by his peers, Mr. Burke has been

inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, the PGA Hall of Fame, the

Texas Sports Hall of Fame, and the Texas Golf Hall of Fame;

moreover, he received the PGA Tour Lifetime Achievement Award in

2003 and the United States Golf Association Bob Jones Award in 2004;

and

WHEREAS, The William D. Richardson Award is yet another

well-deserved accolade for Jack Burke; this esteemed Texan has

inspired generations of players with his skill, determination, and

knowledge of the sport, and his achievements have furthered the

rich golfing tradition of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas

Legislature hereby congratulate Jack Burke, Jr., on receiving the

2011 William D. Richardson Award from the Golf Writers Association

of America and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued

happiness; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

prepared for Mr. Burke as an expression of high regard by the Texas

House of Representatives.

Harless

______________________________ Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 171 was adopted by the House on January 24, 2011, by a non-record vote.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House