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Bill Rodie Named AGA's Updegraff Award Winner Contact Russ Christ PHOENIX (March 12, 2003) - Former Arizona Golf Association president Bill Rodie of Phoenix was named the recipient of the prestigious Ed Updegraff Award last night at the AGA's Annual Spring Meeting and Awards Banquet at Moon Valley Country Club. The award recognizes "those who, by their actions or accomplishments, exemplify the spirit of the game of golf." It honors and is named after Dr. Ed Updegraff of Tucson for his lifetime contributions and dedication to amateur golf in Arizona. Rodie, 73, a retired life insurance estate planner for Connecticut General, was the AGA president in 1990, but his service to the AGA began with research to rewrite the Association's bylaws and prepare a five year business plan that became the AGA's guideline for growth in the mid-1980's. Perhaps Bill's most significant contribution to Arizona golf was through relentless lobbying for regulatory reform on golf course water issues, and over 10 years of service with various state committees. He was active with the Department of Water Resources in the development of the third management plan. Rodie was also involved with revising taxation of golf courses and was influential in the development of one of the most comprehensive property tax laws in the U.S. He is widely acknowledged as one of the industry's experts on environmental policy and water issues pertaining to golf. With service including time as a Board member of the Arizona Golf Foundation, Rodie has demonstrated an unselfish dedication to promoting the game with more than 15 years of volunteer service in support of Arizona Golf. He also serves as a member of the USGA Senior Amateur Committee. Rodie's dedication to the game does not end with the Association. At Desert Forest Golf Club, which he joined in 1983 after a longtime membership at Phoenix Country Club, Bill has devoted additional time to various committees and the Board of Directors. His willingness to offer service to the game seems never-ending. A 1951 graduate of Williams College (Mass.), where he was a member of the golf team, Rodie is the father of four children and numerous grandchildren. He lives with his second wife, Sandi, in Phoenix and spends many hours as a volunteer fundraiser for the Southwest Autism Research Center. |