MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Hall, Carter, Robertson, Bean

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING MICHAEL D. "MIKE" TAYLOR, CHAMPIONSHIP GOLFER FROM MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI. 

WHEREAS, Michael D. "Mike" Taylor, championship golfer from Meridian, Mississippi, served as President of the Mississippi Golf Association; and

WHEREAS, Mike Taylor was born on July 29, 1946, in New Orleans, Louisiana, and was reared in Meridian when his parents moved to East Mississippi after he was one year old; and

WHEREAS, Mike attended Meridian High School where he anchored State Championship Golf teams in 1961, 1962, 1963 and 1964; and

WHEREAS, Mike was a center and linebacker for the Wildcat football team and played on the 1963 Big 8 Championship team, and was selected 3rd team All-Big 8 that year; and

WHEREAS, he won the 1962 State Jaycee Junior championship golf tourney for one of his first amateur titles; and

WHEREAS, Mike attended Brigham Young University and was a member of the BYU Golf team from 1965-68, was named to the All-Western Athletic Conference teams in 1965, 1966 and 1968, winning the WAC individual championship in 1968; and

WHEREAS, 1966 was Mike's finest collegiate season, as he finished 8th overall in the NCAA golf tournament championship, was named All-Conference, and selected to the All-American team; and

WHEREAS, Mike played with Johnny Miller, who would become a star golfer on the pro tour, and actually outplayed Johnny while they were teammates on the BYU Golf team, with Johnny consistently the number two golfer on the Cougar linksters; and

WHEREAS, after graduation from Brigham Young, Mike has continued to be a star on the course, capturing the Mississippi Open in 1975 and 1978; he was runner-up in the Southern Amateur and the low qualifier for the U.S. Amateur in Birmingham; and

WHEREAS, Mike has qualified for the U.S. Amateur three times, and was named Amateur Athlete of the Year by the Clarion Ledger in 1978; and

WHEREAS, Mike has been a member of the Mississippi team participating in Mid-South Cup matches for the past five years and has been a member of the Mississippi Cup team numerous times; and

WHEREAS, Mike Taylor has "owned" the Mississippi State Amateur Championship as he has won the crown 10 times over two decades, including four straight years: 1965, 1966, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1977 and 1978; and

WHEREAS, Mike has won a considerable number of golf tournaments in Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, was the state qualifier for the National Mid-Amateur in 1986, and a local legend in Meridian, particularly at his home course at the Northwood County Club; and

WHEREAS, Mike has served as Past President of the Mississippi Golf Association, and, performing in many exhibition matches with his old teammate Johnny Miller, has participated in numerous charity events; and

WHEREAS, Mike has organized and played in many golf tournaments for organizations such as the Heart Fund, the George Bryant Pro Am, and Junior Golf, devoting time and great effort to assist younger golfers get a start on the courses; his charitable contributions are enormous; and

WHEREAS, although Mike is now living in Durham, North Carolina, working at a brokerage firm, Mississippi is proud to claim him as one of her own:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend Michael D. "Mike" Taylor, championship golfer, upon the occasion of his induction into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, and extend our heartiest congratulations upon his receipt of this honor.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be given to Mr. Taylor.