Mason wins third PGA Seniors title
Jun 29 2009 by Tim Taylor, The Journal
CARL Mason joined a roll of honour featuring the star names of yesteryear, winning the PGA Seniors Championship for the third time at Slaley Hall yesterday.
Only three other golfers can claim that distinction – Kel Nagle, who also won the title three times, and the 1960 Open at St Andrews – Christy O’Connor Senior (six) and Neil Coles (four).
Mason was a “worthy winner” according to former US Masters champion and world number one Ian Woosnam, who was 11 shots off the pace in a seven-way tie for 10th place.
Slaley’s Hunting Course, which Mason said was “tough, good looking and playing really well”, was a credit to head greenkeeper Steve Cram, who earned a hug and a warm handshake from the winner afterwards.
Mason holds the Priestman Course record at Slaley, 63. But the seniors were playing the harder Hunting Course this time, and although that record, also a 63, held by Australian Richard Green, was never in danger, Mason’s figures were still impressive.
Born in Derbyshire and living in Oxfordshire, he beat the field by three shots, following up his 67 on Saturday with a three-under 69 yesterday for a nine-under total of 279. His shot of the day was a four-iron at the par-three, 184-yard 17th, drilled to three feet for the last of his seven birdies.
“That meant I could cruise the last ,” he said, which he did rather, taking his second double bogey. The course was a big talking point with the fairway on the signature hole, the ninth, the Sleeping Giant, showing considerable benefit from improved drainage.
