AGA honors Pancrazi with Updegraff Award

The Arizona Golf Association honored Yuma native Mark Pancrazi earlier this month as the 2007 recipient of the Updegraff Award.

 Named after Dr. Ed Updegraff of Tucson, the Updegraff Award is considered the AGA's highest honor for recognizing those who exemplify the spirit of the game of golf through their actions and accomplishments. Updegraff was on hand to present Pancrazi the award at the AGA's Spring Meeting banquet on March 5 at the Phoenix Country Club. Joel Empire, who was selected as the AGA Volunteer of the Year, was also honored at the awards dinner.

 Pancrazi, 46, has been a past president of the Yuma Country Club, a member of the AGA Board of Directors and participant with the Boys & Girls Club and the junior golf program at Desert Hills Golf Course.  He currently serves on the organization's Board of Governors and continues to involve himself organizing and keeping the Western Amateur in town.

 "I was a bit perplexed when I got the call about the award," he said. "I told them there are a lot of guys more deserving than me and they ought to give it to someone else, but I think what they recognized is when you love something like I love golf and give back to it without expecting something in return, you are always rewarded tenfold."

 One of those unexpected rewards came to Pancrazi during last year's Arizona Amateur Championship. After being eliminated in the first round, Pancrazi continued to compete in the event as a caddie for fellow Yuma golfer Gabe Plaza.

 Arizona Golf Association executive director Edward Gowan was unavailable for comment on Wednesday. The announcement in the AGA magazine says of Pancrazi, "if he is known for one thing, it is the mentoring and support he offers to younger golfers to help them in their quest to be better players and grow into successful adults."