Senate Concurrent Resolution 661

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING 9-YEAR-OLD MISSISSIPPI GOLFER EMERSON BLAIR FROM WEST POINT FOR WINNING THE USGA "DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT CHAMPIONSHIP" FOR HER AGE GROUP AT AUGUSTA NATIONAL GOLF COURSE ON APRIL 3, 2016.

WHEREAS, eighty aspiring young golfers from across the United States participated in the USGA's Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, on April 3, 2016, and Mississippi had a hometown favorite to support. Nine-year-old Emerson Blair of West Point competed in the 7-9 age group starting at 7 a.m., making her competitive national broadcast debut on the Golf Channel; and

WHEREAS, Emerson Blair needed to make up six points headed into the final round of the USGA's Drive, Chip and Putt

Championship. After placing second in the driving competition, the nineyearold West Point native had finished fifth in chipping. Putting, her toughest event, was all that was left. But when leader Avery Zweig of Austin, Texas, who had dominated the driving and chipping rounds, faltered on her putting, Emerson pounced on the opportunity, placed first and won the championship for the girls' 79 age group with a total score of 24.5 points; and

WHEREAS, it was the perfect end to an exciting weekend for Emerson Blair, who got a chance to meet many of her favorite golfers and celebrities like pop superstar Justin Timberlake, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and One Direction's Niall Horan; and

WHEREAS, nineyearold Emerson Blair is a member of the Junior Golf Program at Old Waverly Golf Club. She earned a berth in the championship by participating in three qualifying competitions in Madison, New Orleans and Houston. As a reward for winning, Emerson's father, Key Blair, said the family planned to stay and observe the Master's Tournament; and

WHEREAS, Blair is no stranger to the spotlight. Since she entered the youth program at Old Waverly under the tutelage of

V.J. Trolio and Tim Yelverton at four years old, the reigning nineandunder Mississippi Amateur Champion has competed in tournaments across the country from Florida to Illinois. She qualified for the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship after winning a preliminary competition at Reunion Golf & Country Club in Madison, finishing second at another in New Orleans, and winning a third in Houston; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we join the golfing community in recognizing a young Mississippi student athlete who has brought honor to her family, her instructors 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 nine-year-old Mississippi Golfer Emerson Blair from West Point for winning the USGA "Drive, Chip and Putt Championship," at Augusta National Golf Course on April 3, 2016, and extend our best wishes to Emerson as she begins her career in golf.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Emerson Blair and her family, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.