Bill Text: MS SC679 | 2017 | Regular Session | Enrolled

Mississippi Senate Concurrent Resolution 679 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Recognize the sports legacy of PGA President and Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Inductee James Ray Carpenter of Hattiesburg.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 5-3)

Status: (Passed) 2017-04-05 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC679 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2017-SC679-Enrolled.html

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2017 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Fillingane, Barnett, Caughman, Dearing, Jackson (32nd), McDaniel, Parker, Watson

Senate Concurrent Resolution 679

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE SPORTS LEGACY OF PGA OF AMERICA AND MISSISSIPPI SPORTS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE AND FORMER PGA PRESIDENT JAMES RAY CARPENTER OF HATTIESBURG, MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, we pause to remember the sports career and legacy of Mississippi golf legend James Ray Carpenter of Hattiesburg, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, James Ray (J.R.) Carpenter of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, the 25th President of The PGA of America, was named as the ninth honoree of The Legends of The PGA program. Carpenter was honored on November 14, 2003, at The PGA of America's 87th Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas; and

WHEREAS, Carpenter, 90, a PGA member since 1969, served as PGA President from 1987-1988, and applied both wit and counsel to become a respected leader in the golf industry. Established in 1995, The Legends of The PGA program honors past Presidents for their contributions to the association and the golf industry; and

WHEREAS, in 2002, Carpenter was inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame. An All-State football and basketball player in high school, Carpenter didn't touch a golf club until he was 33 years old, being introduced to the game through a customer in Natchez, Mississippi, at Duncan Park Municipal Golf Course; and

WHEREAS, as a salesman of oil field supplies, Carpenter's career path soon transformed into a discovery of golf. Following his serving as a First Lieutenant in the Air Force, Carpenter returned to civilian life to become a high school basketball Coach in Biloxi, Mississippi. He would turn to sales before accepting a position as Golf Coach and Course Superintendent at his alma mater, the University of Southern Mississippi (USM); and

WHEREAS, his leadership was immediate, as his golf teams never suffered a losing season. His son, Jimmy, eventually followed his father and became a PGA Professional and USM Golf Coach; and

WHEREAS, Carpenter went on to make an impact in The PGA of America following his being elected to membership in 1969. From his term as President of the Gulf States PGA Section in 1975 to serving on the PGA Board of Directors (1980-1982), Carpenter's role in the association continued to grow; and

WHEREAS, Carpenter's term as PGA President was marked by his determination to help guide education programs. During this period, The Professional Golf Management (PGM) program curriculum opened at two universities. Today, PGM programs are fixtures at 14 colleges and universities nationwide. Carpenter also chaired six national committees: Junior Golf, Section Affairs, Finance, Apprentice, The PGA Club Professional Championship and Special Awards. Each group received his special brand of enthusiasm and direction. His other professional affiliations: Golf Pro, USM Golf Course; Golf Coach, USM; Director of Golf, Timberton; Director of Gold, Shadow Ridge; President of Mississippi PGA; President of Gulf States PGA; Gulf States PGA Professional of the Year; and Mississippi Pro Sportsman of the Year by Jackson TD Club; and

WHEREAS, a 1977 inductee into the University of Southern Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, Mr. Carpenter also became a respected member of one of the association's most prestigious groups outside the gallery ropes, The PGA Rules Committee; and

WHEREAS, he remained an active member of the Rules Committee, and his past list of assignments include the PGA Championship, Ryder Cup Matches, Senior PGA Championship, Masters, U.S. Open and The Players Championship; and

WHEREAS, through Carpenter's many years in professional golf, he has never wavered in bringing to his work leadership, fairness and a strong sense of understanding; and

WHEREAS, The PGA of America, founded in 1916, is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the game of golf while continuing to enhance the standards of the profession. The association is comprised of more than 28,000 men and women PGA Professionals who are dedicated to growing participation in the game of golf; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we bring attention and respect to a Mississippi sports legend:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize the sports legacy of PGA of America and Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Inductee and former PGA President James Ray Carpenter of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and extend our best wishes to Mr. Carpenter and his family.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Mr. Carpenter and his family, forwarded to the President of USM, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.