Carl Mason, the most successful player in the history of the European Senior Tour, is hoping to continue his love affair with Spain when he defends his Benahavis Senior Masters title at La Quinta Golf and Country Club from June 1-3.
The Englishman won twice on Spanish soil last season, first becoming the outright most prolific Senior Tour winner with victory in the OKI Open de España Senior by Cleveland Golf before capturing his 25th Senior Tour victory in the Benahavis Senior Masters, finishing three shots clear of former Ryder Cup Captain Mark James and Rookie of the Year Gary Wolstenholme.
Mason has won six times in total on Spanish soil on the Senior Tour, including the inaugural edition of the Benahavis Senior Masters in 2009, and also claimed his maiden European Tour title in the Open de Andalucía in 1994.
The 58 year old will be among a strong Senior Tour field competing for an increased prize fund of €200,000 – a rise of €20,000 from 2011 – for the fourth edition of the tournament on Spain’s Costa del Sol.
Andy Stubbs, Managing Director of the European Senior Tour, said: “The Benahavis Senior Masters has established itself on the Senior Tour schedule since it was first played in 2009 and already has an impressive history with Carl’s two victories and Boonchu Ruangkit winning in 2010 on his way to claiming the John Jacobs Trophy.
Seven of the top ten players on the final Order of Merit played in the tournament last year and we are expecting another strong field in June.
“We are grateful to the local council, the Ayuntamiento de Benahavis, promoter Sportcel, La Quinta and all of our other sponsors for their continued support of this event and we look forward to another superb tournament.”
La Quinta Golf and Country Club was designed by Senior Tour player Manuel Piñero, the Spanish former Ryder Cup player, and is set in the mountains overlooking Marbella.
