Each year at the International Snowmobile Congress, a groomer operator is chosen from each of the three Chapters of the International Snowmobile Council and honered by Arctic Cat as the (Groomer Operator of the Year.)

To carry this program one step further, the INTERNATIONAL GROOMER OPERATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD was developed with the cooperation of the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame and Arctic Cat to give credit to one of these groomer operators, that put so much time and energy into the sport and are seldom recognized for all they do for snowmobiling. This one individual will be introduced and recognized at the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame Induction weekend ceremonies.

This years selection committee, was made up of three groomer operators, an DNR Administrator, , one snowmobile trail coordinator, and one snowmobile program director. They have chosen “BILL” WILLIAM D. DUDGEON, from Waubun, Minnesota (Mahnomen County) to receive this prestigious honor of being name “International Groomer Operaot of the Year for 2005."

Bill Dudgeon is the primary groomer and current President of the Hardwood Trailblazers Snowmobile Club. He is responsible for 42 miles of trails while doing another 50 mile section of the trail for the neighboring Nay Tan Waush Night Riders Club.

Bill has attended state “Trails and Signs” and “Recreation Design & Trail Construction” schools at his own time and expense. He then organized club members to double the trail signage to increase rider safety and visitor direction. The grooming training he instructed for other volunteers has brought others to help with trail grooming and maintenance. This has given Bill some time to devote his energy to help teach youth snowmobile safety classes and trail guide for local resorts.

Bill’s work with the club to foster respect for landowners who give permission to the clubs to route their trails through their land has taught others how important these people are to snowmobiling, and to respect them and the natural resources they provide.

Leading by example, Bill has groomed selflessly working not only for the clubs, but all snowmobilers. He has been called a “Groomers’ Groomer Operator” by other operators.