Senate Resolution 89

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING JAMES RAY CARPENTER, FIRST MISSISSIPPIAN TO BE SELECTED AS PRESIDENT OF THE PGA, UPON HIS INDUCTION INTO THE MISSISSIPPI SPORTS HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2003.

WHEREAS, the Jackson Touchdown Club and Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame has unveiled its Class of 2003, which features James Ray Carpenter, talented golfer who was the first Mississippian to be selected as President of the PGA; and

WHEREAS, a native of Runnelstown, Mississippi, and raised in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where he played football, basketball and tennis; James played basketball and baseball for two years at Mississippi State and then transferred to Southern Mississippi, where he was a star scorer for the hoops squad and an ace pitcher on the diamond; and

WHEREAS, he was coached by five Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame members at MSU and USM and played military service basketball while serving in the Air Force during the Korean War; and

WHEREAS, he was introduced to the sport of golf at the age of 33 while in private business selling oil field chemicals; and

WHEREAS, he is a self-taught player who became a PGA member in 1969, a Southern Miss golf coach and pro from 1964-1980, served as President of the Mississippi PGA, was appointed in 1979 to the PGA Rules Committee, was elected as PGA Treasurer and Vice President before being selected as National PGA President for the 1987-1988 term; and

WHEREAS, he served as Chairman of the PGA Championship and the 1985 Ryder Cup, was named Golf Person of the Year in 1988 by the Southern Golf Journal; and

WHEREAS, he has officiated at some of golf's top worldwide events including the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open, the Masters, the Ryder Cup and the Tournament Players Championship; and

WHEREAS, he was inducted into the Southern Mississippi Athletic Hall of Fame in 1977 and selected as a charter member of the Gulf States PGA Hall of Fame in 1999; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this outstanding athlete who has brought honor to his university and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate James Ray Carpenter, talented golfer who was the first Mississippian to be selected as President of the PGA, upon his induction into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2003, and wish him and his family continued success in all their future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Mr. Carpenter at induction ceremonies to be held on April 4, 2003, in Vicksburg, Mississippi, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.