TO CONGRATULATE THOMAS "TIP" PRICE ON WINNING THE BOYS 10 TO 11-YEAR-OLD DIVISION IN THE 2018 DRIVE, CHIP & PUTT NATIONAL FINALS.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are pleased to learn that Thomas "Tip" Price captured the top spot in his age division in the Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals at Augusta National Country Club on Sunday, April 1, 2018; and

Whereas, Thomas "Tip" Price, a fifth grader at Augusta Circle Elementary, was born on September 6, 2006 in Greenville, South Carolina; and

Whereas, Tip started playing golf at the age of four, hitting balls with his dad, Brian. At just five years old, Tip played his first nine-hole round at their home club, Greenville Country Club, and at eight, he played in his first statewide event, the 2015 South Carolina Junior Golf Association Pee Wee Championship; and

Whereas, over the last three years, Tip has competed in a number of events, with many first, second, and third place finishes throughout the Carolinas and a total of three holes in one in his young career; and

Whereas, to qualify for the Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals, Tip spent much of 2017 fighting through local, state, and regional qualifiers; and

Whereas, at the national finals, Tip began with a dominant performance on the driving range, winning the discipline with a 239-yard drive, more than five yards ahead of his closest competition. He came in second in the chipping discipline and third in putting for an overall score of twenty-six and a two-point margin of victory. He was presented the finals trophy by defending Masters Champion Sergio Garcia; and

Whereas, the Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals is sponsored by the Masters Tournament, the Professional Golfers' Association of America, and the United States Golf Association. Drive, Chip and Putt is a free, nationwide youth golf development program open to boys and girls, ages seven to fifteen, in four age categories. In 2018, tens of thousands of youngsters competed to qualify for the event; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate appreciate the pride and recognition that Thomas "Tip" Price has brought to his community and his State and look with great interest to hear of all further accomplishments by this talented young athlete. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, congratulate Thomas "Tip" Price on winning the boys 10 to 11-year-old division in the 2018 Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Thomas "Tip" Price.