[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 54 (Monday, April 16, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E522]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING PROFESSIONAL GOLF ASSOCIATION TOUR PROFESSIONAL BUBBA 
                WATSON AS THE WINNER OF THE 2012 MASTERS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 16, 2012

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
Northwest Florida's Gerry Lester ``Bubba'' Watson, Jr. as the winner of 
the 2012 Masters Tournament on Sunday, April 8, 2012 at Augusta 
National Golf Club.
  Winning a Masters Tournament, professional golf's most prestigious 
event, is the dream of every tour professional and aspiring amateur. 
This win--his fourth on the PGA tour--elevated him to the number four 
position in the world golf rankings, and to number two in the FedEx Cup 
rankings.
  Bubba's humble, small-town upbringing in Bagdad, Florida included no 
formal golf lessons, save one provided by his father at an early age. 
He taught himself to play golf by hitting wiffle balls around his house 
with a cut-off club his father gave him.
  Not an inexperienced winner, Bubba won the Divot Derby--a 
longstanding junior golf tournament in Pensacola, Florida--an 
astounding 10 years in a row. He continued golfing during his years at 
Milton High School, where he also excelled as pitcher on the school's 
baseball team. Despite his significant baseball talents, golf remained 
his passion. At Faulkner State Community College, he was named First 
Team Junior College All American. Later, after transferring to the 
University of Georgia, he led the Bulldogs to an SEC Championship title 
in 2000. He turned professional when he joined the Nationwide Tour in 
2001, and later joined the PGA tour in 2006. Known for his aggressive 
shot-making abilities and his exceptionally long tee shots, he has 
quickly established himself as a favorite among golf spectators.
  Bubba is not shy about sharing his Christian faith, and he possesses 
an unwavering commitment to family--most recently demonstrated when he 
and his wife, Angie, adopted a baby boy just two weeks before his win 
at Augusta. In addition to his commitment to family, Bubba is actively 
involved in a number of philanthropic activities, serving as an 
honorary board member and generous sponsor of The First Tee of 
Northwest Florida and making significant contributions to the Ronald 
McDonald House in Pensacola. He has also hosted free golf clinics for 
children, provided scholarships for Milton High School golfers, and 
committed to funding the Divot Derby for the next five years, ensuring 
that children do not need to pay the registration fee to participate in 
the event.
  Bubba's strong character, athletic prowess, and commitment to family 
and community make it all the more enjoyable to call him ``Masters 
Champion.'' His nail-biting win after two playoff holes on Sunday 
afternoon may be his first in a major tournament, but it will likely 
not be his last.
  On behalf of the United States Congress and the citizens of Northwest 
Florida, I congratulate Bubba for his extraordinary victory. My wife 
Vicki joins me in offering our best wishes to Bubba; his wife, Angie; 
and their son, Caleb, for their continued success.

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