The 26-year-old Teign Valley player beat Cornwall's leading player Richard Sadler at the second hole of a play-off at the only Wiltshire course in the New Forest.

Now he can savour the prospect of making his European Tour debut as the West's representative in the BMW International at Wentworth in May.

Mason, aged 26, finished more than 200 points clear of runner up ex-Tour man Andrew Sherborne (The Kendleshire) while Barry Austin (Downes Crediton) edged past Lee Thompson (Dudsbury), George Ryall (Players Club), Graham Howell (Ferndown Forest) and Jon Bevan (Wessex Golf Centre) into third place.

They were separated by fewer than 30 points.

The top three ranked players in each of the seven PGA regions take part in the play-offs at Hollinwell on October 16-17 for a chance to earn exemptions to other Tour and Challenge Tour events next year.

Sadler, a former winner on the Nike Tour in America before he returned to settle in his native Cornwall, led on nine-under-par 135 before Mason's 4ft putt for a birdie on the last sparked the play-off.

The pair halved the 145-yard par-three tenth hole the first time. Their 9-irons again found the green but Sadler missed from ten feet while Mason, a disciple of the Harold Swash wide-stance putting method, holed from five feet for the winning birdie.

He said: "I set out to win the order of merit at the start of the year and concentrated on regional events rather than the Europro Tour and it's paid off.

"It will be great to play at Wentworth - I've never been there. Ironically the team I played with in the Salisbury pro-am won a voucher to play a round at Wentworth so I can use it as a practice round."

"I have played nicely this year and hope this win will set me up for another shot at winning a place on the Tour."

Hamptworth club professional Andy Beal did most of the organising as his club hosted a West Region PGA order of merit event for the first time - and he came close to winning it.

He said after carding 68 and 69 for a seven-under-par total of 137: "I left a lot of shots out there and felt I had a real chance at one stage.

"It was most annoying to miss so many putts from 6ft or less in the second round as I was striking the ball really well. With everything going on around me it was a pleasant surprise to play half-decent golf as well."

But the former European Tour player and Wiltshire county coach was delighted with the event in which he shared fourth place with West Wilts Iain Ferrie.

Press:
Wiltshire Times Friday 5th October 2007

More News: (Vision.TV)
Click for more press coverage on the Wales and West PGA ProAm Golf Competition.

More News: (Devon PGA)
Click for more press coverage on the Wales and West PGA ProAm Golf Competition.