H.R. No. 171
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Texas golf legend Jack Burke, Jr., has been named
the winner of the 2011 William D. Richardson Award by the Golf
Writers Association of America, in recognition of his outstanding
contributions to the sport; and
WHEREAS, Born in Fort Worth in 1923, Jack Burke began
learning the game at age seven, tutored by his father, who was the
pro at the River Oaks Country Club in Houston; Mr. Burke became a
club pro himself at age 18 but put his career on hold to serve in the
U.S. Marine Corps during World War II; and
WHEREAS, In the years following the war, professional golf
was initially dominated by older players, but Mr. Burke changed
that, winning four PGA tournaments in 1950 at the age of 27; two
years later, he won four consecutive tournaments and went on to
compile a career total of 16 victories, including first-place
finishes in both the Masters Tournament and the PGA Championship in
1956; he played on the American Ryder Cup team throughout the 1950s,
was its nonplaying captain in 1973, and served as a special
assistant to the team captain in 2004; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Burke's prominent role in the game has extended
beyond his stellar performances on the course; in 1957, he and
another well-known Texas golfer, Jimmy Demaret, opened the
Champions Golf Club in Houston; through the years, the club has
hosted the Ryder Cup, the U.S. Open, and the U.S. Amateur
Championship in addition to numerous other tournaments; Mr. Burke
has also served as a coach to younger PGA players, including current
star Phil Mickelson; and
WHEREAS, Widely admired by his peers, Mr. Burke has been
inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, the PGA Hall of Fame, the
Texas Sports Hall of Fame, and the Texas Golf Hall of Fame;
moreover, he received the PGA Tour Lifetime Achievement Award in
2003 and the United States Golf Association Bob Jones Award in 2004;
and
WHEREAS, The William D. Richardson Award is yet another
well-deserved accolade for Jack Burke; this esteemed Texan has
inspired generations of players with his skill, determination, and
knowledge of the sport, and his achievements have furthered the
rich golfing tradition of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Jack Burke, Jr., on receiving the
2011 William D. Richardson Award from the Golf Writers Association
of America and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued
happiness; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Burke as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.
Harless
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 171 was adopted by the House on
January 24, 2011, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House