Carl Mason has added yet another accolade to his glittering Senior Tour CV after clinching the 2013 Lawrence Batley award given to the leading player over the age of 60.
The Senior Tour’s most successful player finished 12thon the 2013 Order of Merit, recording three top four finishes in nine appearances last season, having celebrated his milestone birthday in June.
Mason finished tied third in the Bad Ragaz PGA Seniors Open and tied fourth in the Travis Perkins Masters, both tournaments he has previously won, and then joint runner up behind Simon P Brown in the Russian Open Golf Championship.
He held off the challenge of compatriot Bob Cameron, who finished 14thon the Order of Merit, to land the award, succeeding 2012 winner Dick Mast of America.
First awarded to David Creamer in 2003, when it was known as the Hardy’s Super Senior Award, the accolade has also been given to Malcolm Gregson (2004), Noel Ratcliffe (2005), Jim Rhodes (2006), John Bland (2007), Jerry Bruner (2008, 2009, 2010) and Nick Job (2011).
It is the latest chapter in Mason’s impressive Senior Tour career, which includes a record 25 victories, three John Jacobs Trophies as winner of the Order of Merit in 2003, 2004 and 2007, and career earnings of €2,510, 859 – nearly €1million more than any other player.
Among those hoping to challenge Mason for the Lawrence Batley award in 2014 will be former Ryder Cup captains Mark James and Sam Torrance, who turned 60 last October and August respectively, and David J Russell, who reaches the milestone in May.
