Senate Concurrent Resolution 545

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING JOE IUPE, JR., CHAMPIONSHIP GOLFER FROM CANTON, MISSISSIPPI, UPON HIS INDUCTION INTO THE MISSISSIPPI SPORTS HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2005.

WHEREAS, the Jackson Touchdown Club and Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame has unveiled the Class of 2005 of the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, which features Joe Iupe, Jr., championship golfer and golf administrator from Canton, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Joe Iupe excelled as an amateur during his high school, collegiate and post-collegiate career; and

WHEREAS, a native of Canton, Mississippi, who began playing golf at age six, led Canton Academy to state golf titles while winning individual medals. He was Captain of Mississippi State University Golf Team from 1975-1978 and competed in every round of golf for the Bulldogs during his college career; and

WHEREAS, Joe Iupe represented Mississippi in the United States Golf Association Amateur Championships and played rounds with PGA pros; and

WHEREAS, he was an outstanding amateur golfer who won a record five MPGA Invitationals. He ended MSHOF member Mike Taylor's state amateur title streak in 1979, was winner of the Mississippi "Grand Slam" events that includes the Mississippi Amateur, the Mississippi Open, the Colonial Invitational and the Greenwood Invitational; and

WHEREAS, despite a serious eye condition, Joe played as an amateur in three Magnolia Classic tournaments, now known as the Southern Farm Classic, Mississippi's only PGA event, and won over 200 individual and other golf events, including club titles and four-ball tourneys and held five course records at one time; and

WHEREAS, Joe was selected as Mississippi Golfer of the Year by The Clarion-Ledger on five occasions, and was active in the United States Golf Association and the Mississippi Golf Association and helped bring the USGA National Championship event to Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, he served as General Manager and Director of Annadale Golf Club in Madison, Mississippi, from 1993-1998. He retired from competitive golf in 1995 due to eye disease and was named Amateur Athlete of the Year by the Jackson Touchdown Club in 1983 and The Clarion-Ledger Sports Person of the Year in 1986; and

WHEREAS, Joe conducted countless charity golf events over the years, and was inducted into the Mississippi State Athletic Hall of Fame in 1989; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this outstanding athlete who has brought honor to his community, his university 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 Joe Iupe, Jr., championship golfer from Canton, Mississippi, upon his induction into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2005, and wish him and his family continued success in all their future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Joe Iupe, Jr., at induction ceremonies, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.