Jim Frazier of Phoenix, a former two-term past president of the Arizona Golf Association was honored as the 2010 Champion of Golf as part of the festivities for the Arizona Stroke Play Championship played at the TPC Scottsdale - Champions Course April 15-18. Established in 2008, the award recognizes an individual who selflessly champions the game of golf in Arizona through his or her personal efforts.

A retired banking executive, Frazier has spent his life in golf and has been actively involved in transforming the game, on all levels from juniors, to amateurs to PGA Tour professionals in the state since establishing roots in Arizona some 46 years ago.

“Jim has been a tireless advocate for the game of the golf and a true leader in the industry for as many years as anyone can remember,” said Ed Gowan, Executive Director of the AGA.  “What distinguishes Jim from so many is that his efforts span so many organizations at a very high level. As a past president of the AGA and Moon Valley Country Club, Chairman of the Phoenix Open, Big Chief of The Thunderbirds and its first Executive Director, and with his involvement in forming the Junior Golf Association of Arizona, he has played an integral role in ensuring the success of these groups that have a direct impact on nearly every aspect of the game.”

Born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, Jim took up the game at age eight, when his father cut down wooden shafts for him. Playing in high school and college at the University of Iowa where he earned a business degree, Jim went on and graduated with honors from the Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia. Following four years of service he left the Marine Corps and settled in Phoenix with his high school sweetheart Sandy, his now bride of 50 years.

One of most fitting examples is the controversial decision that was made when he was Big Chief of The Thunderbirds to move the Phoenix Open to TPC Scottsdale, the venue that will now permanently display his image as a Champion of Golf.
 
Frazier served on the Board of Directors of the AGA for 12 years beginning in 1988. During his tenure as president he brokered the formation of a partnership between the AGA and the Thunderbirds for the purpose of purchasing the office building that currently houses the two organizations. As a part of this agreement he also put together a cadre of 40 investors who privately financed 100% of the acquisition. Today the building is debt free and owned jointly by the partnership.

Frazier joined Moon Valley Country Club in 1969 and has served on nearly every committee at the club, including nine years as a member of the Board of Directors and two terms as president. Most recently he played a key role in the membership’s reacquisition of the club from the Karsten Solheim family.

Frazier has always earned another moniker of distinction and that is for his acerbic wit that has made him a featured emcee for countless golf events, banquets and meetings. Playing to a 2.6 USGA Handicap Index, Frazier at age 72, will sometimes shoot his age. 

While his unique sense of humor has served him well over the years, his service and dedication to the game are no laughing matter and for that reason, Jim Frazier is a true Champion of Golf.