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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Texas golf legend Jack Burke, Jr., has been named |
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the winner of the 2011 William D. Richardson Award by the Golf |
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Writers Association of America, in recognition of his outstanding |
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contributions to the sport; and |
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WHEREAS, Born in Fort Worth in 1923, Jack Burke began |
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learning the game at age seven, tutored by his father, who was the |
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pro at the River Oaks Country Club in Houston; Mr. Burke became a |
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club pro himself at age 18 but put his career on hold to serve in the |
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U.S. Marine Corps during World War II; and |
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WHEREAS, In the years following the war, professional golf |
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was initially dominated by older players, but Mr. Burke changed |
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that, winning four PGA tournaments in 1950 at the age of 27; two |
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years later, he won four consecutive tournaments and went on to |
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compile a career total of 16 victories, including first-place |
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finishes in both the Masters Tournament and the PGA Championship in |
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1956; he played on the American Ryder Cup team throughout the 1950s, |
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was its nonplaying captain in 1973, and served as a special |
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assistant to the team captain in 2004; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Burke's prominent role in the game has extended |
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beyond his stellar performances on the course; in 1957, he and |
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another well-known Texas golfer, Jimmy Demaret, opened the |
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Champions Golf Club in Houston; through the years, the club has |
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hosted the Ryder Cup, the U.S. Open, and the U.S. Amateur |
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Championship in addition to numerous other tournaments; Mr. Burke |
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has also served as a coach to younger PGA players, including current |
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star Phil Mickelson; and |
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WHEREAS, Widely admired by his peers, Mr. Burke has been |
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inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, the PGA Hall of Fame, the |
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Texas Sports Hall of Fame, and the Texas Golf Hall of Fame; |
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moreover, he received the PGA Tour Lifetime Achievement Award in |
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2003 and the United States Golf Association Bob Jones Award in 2004; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, The William D. Richardson Award is yet another |
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well-deserved accolade for Jack Burke; this esteemed Texan has |
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inspired generations of players with his skill, determination, and |
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knowledge of the sport, and his achievements have furthered the |
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rich golfing tradition of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate Jack Burke, Jr., on receiving the |
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2011 William D. Richardson Award from the Golf Writers Association |
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of America and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued |
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happiness; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mr. Burke as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |