Hometown Golfer Playing in PGA Event in Duluth

Duluth native James Mason, a veteran on the PGA Champions Tour, is playing in the Greater Gwinnett Championship at TPC Sugarloaf in Duluth this weekend (April 19-21).

Mason has played in more than 200 PGA Champions Tour events all over the United States in the past 10 years and has amassed more than $2 million in career wins. “Sometimes I get paid – I get a check – and sometimes I don’t,” he said. “It’s all based on performance.”

The tournament for golfers age 50-plus has attracted an impressive field of participants. Mason and other players tee off Friday with the tournament continuing through Sunday.

Mason, 62, said he competes in as many tournaments as he can. He played in seven PGA Champions Tour events in 2012 and 15 to 18 the previous year. A longtime resident of Sky Valley, GA, Mason is the golf pro at the Orchard Golf Club in Clarkesville, GA.

“I’m excited to be back in Duluth,” Mason said. “I have a lot of family still living here.”

Mason’s wins include the 2002 NFL Golf Classic, a PGA Champions Tour event. He also won Georgia PGA Championships in 1997, 1999 and 2000.

“Right now, my career is on the downside,” Mason said, “but I hope I can play good enough in this tournament to propel me to get into some other events.”

“It’s a tough competition, he said, “but I’m going to give it a good shot.”

Mason grew up in Duluth and graduated from Duluth High School and then from Auburn University. He played on the golf team at Auburn.

His son Chris is caddying for him in the Duluth tournament.

~ Duluth Patch