Treasurer of Gulf Coast Chapter of the Southern Texas PGA for two years, secretary for two years and president two years, Art Hodde was a career PGA professional. He held head professional positions at Lake Bluff, III., Memorial Park, Houston Country Club, Piney Point and Long Meadows. Hodde replaced Jack Smith as head professional at Riverbend Country Club in 1969 and served as the PGA Head Golf Professional there until his retirement in 1993.

He was widely sought as a teacher and would average 30 to 35 lessons per week during peak season. He particularly liked to work with juniors. Hodde played on the Reagan High team and was a member of the Houston city championship team in 1949. His coach was a woman named Alma Peek, who was active in women’s city tournaments. Hodde attended the University of Houston, but did not participate on the golf team. He joined the Army soon after his enrollment there. Hodde was immensely popular among his peers, his club members and the media, which may explain his early induction into the Texas Golf Hall of Fame.

Art had many accomplishments throughout his golfing career including:

• 1971 Southern Texas PGA (STPGA) Professional of the Year
• 1983 STPGA Bill Strausbaugh Club Relations Award
• 1985 Member into the PGA of America Quarter Century Club
• 2001 Dick Forester Quarter Century Award

Birthplace: Houston, Texas

Born: August 14, 1931

Died: May 5, 2003