MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2021 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Michel, Boyd, McCaughn, Hopson, Parks, Sparks, Barnett, Caughman, Fillingane, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Kirby, Parker, Simmons (13th), Thompson
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING OLE MISS AND PGA TOUR GOLF ICON RANDY WATKINS UPON HIS INDUCTION INTO THE MISSISSIPPI SPORTS HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM.
WHEREAS, the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum has announced its Class of 2021 with three of the six selections being Ole Miss Rebels, including golf standout Randy Watkins of Jackson, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, currently a teaching professional and golf course owner and Manager, Randy Watkins has been involved in Mississippi golf since the 1970s; and
WHEREAS, at the age of 15, he captured the 1977 National Junior Golf Championship. He attended Manhattan Academy in Jackson and was a two-time All-American Prep Golfer; and
WHEREAS, in 1979, Watkins was a member of the PGA Junior Ryder Cup Team and was selected the PGA Junior Amateur. As a junior golfer, Randy won 20 different tournaments before taking his talents to Ole Miss; and
WHEREAS, named a team MVP, by his junior year Randy was named Mississippi Golfer of the Year by The Clarion-Ledger. His round of 65 in the Mississippi Intercollegiate remains one of the lowest rounds in Old Miss history. He was selected All-SEC and All-American and was a medalist in three tournaments his senior year; and
WHEREAS, the County Club of Jackson held "Randy Watkins Day" to honor him. He spent one season competing on the PGA Tour after qualifying at Q-School. His highest finish was 8th place at the Miller High Life Quad City Open. His long career also includes six years as Tournament Director of the PGA Tour's Viking Classic, now the Sanderson Farms Championship; and
WHEREAS, Randy owns and operates three golf clubs in the Jackson metro area and is very active supporting Junior Golf in this state; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we join the Mississippi sports community in recognizing a hometown favorite athlete who has brought honor to his university, his community and to the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Ole Miss and PGA Tour Golf icon Randy Watkins upon his induction into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, and extend to Randy and his family our best wishes for continued success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Randy Watkins, forwarded to the Ole Miss Athletic Director and the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.