S*1300 Resolution, By Ceips
 A SENATE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE OUTSTANDING BENEFIT AND SERVICE OF THE
 HERITAGE CLASSIC FOUNDATION AND THE VERIZON HERITAGE GOLF TOURNAMENT,
 EXEMPLIFYING THE TRUE SPIRIT OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

   04/15/08  Senate Introduced and adopted SJ-6

RECOGNIZING THE OUTSTANDING BENEFIT AND SERVICE OF THE HERITAGE CLASSIC FOUNDATION AND THE VERIZON HERITAGE GOLF TOURNAMENT, EXEMPLIFYING THE TRUE SPIRIT OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

Whereas, since 1987, the Heritage Classic Foundation has been responsible for the largest professional sporting event occurring in South Carolina, the Verizon Heritage played on the Harbour Town Golf Links, the State's top ranked golf course; and

Whereas, this year the Verizon Heritage, an official South Carolina festival, will be held the week of April 14th through April 20th; and

Whereas, each year, the Verizon Heritage generates in excess of eighty-five million dollars in economic benefits to the State of South Carolina during tournament week alone; and

Whereas, each year the tournament's net profits have been distributed by the Heritage Classic Foundation for the benefit of charitable and scholarship purposes. In 2008, fifty-four Beaufort County collegians will benefit from the Foundation's Scholar Program, bringing the total dispersed since the inception of the program in 1993 to almost $1.8 million; and

Whereas, because of the tournament, each year South Carolina receives international media attention with more than twenty hours of television airtime being broadcast, having the potential of reaching more than a hundred million households around the world; and

Whereas, April 3, 2008, on the steps of the United States Capitol, the First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond, presented a nineteenth century driving iron made in St. Andrews as a symbol of the association between the Heritage Classic Foundation and the Verizon Heritage with the Scottish government, in recognition of the ties between Scotland and South Carolina; and

Whereas, Boo Weekly, the 2007 defending champion, along with an outstanding field of past tournament champions and an international field of professional golfers, will be competing for a record purse of $5.5.million, with nine hundred ninety thousand dollars being awarded to the 2008 Verizon Heritage tournament winner. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate recognize the outstanding benefit and service of the Heritage Classic Foundation and the Verizon Heritage Golf Tournament, exemplifying the true spirit of South Carolina.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Heritage Classic Foundation.