'Surreal Experience’ at Masters for Howell Family
THOMASVILLE – Mason Howell’s first Masters tournament will be one to remember – not just for the Brookwood senior but also for his entire family who joined him this week in Augusta.
Howell’s father, Robb Howell, called it a “surreal experience,” when he left the course on Wednesday following the Par 3 Contest. He just witnessed Mason tie for fourth in the Par 3 Contest at 3-under while his sister, Megan caddied for him. The elder Howell has had a lot to smile about this week.
“It’s a dream come true for Mason of course, but for us as well, being able to watch him on such an iconic golf course, such an iconic place. It’s not just the golf but everything else he’s gotten to do this week; the Amateur dinner on Monday night where he gave a welcome address to the crowd,” Howell said. “We got to watch Meg, who’s a junior at UGA, caddie for him (Wednesday) in the Par 3 Contest, which was amazing. It’s just been a super special week for our entire family.”
Mason Howell is used to playing tournaments on the big stage. He competed in last year’s US Open Championship and also won the U.S. Amateur title at The Olympic Club last August. Howell has also been a key part in Brookwood winning four state titles in five years. But competing at the Masters is an experience unlike any other, especially with playing alongside two of golfing’s elite this week.
“Just the prestige of this tournament, being an invitational, it is the hardest major to get in to. It has the smallest field. To get to play in it, at age 18, before you graduate high school is something just really amazing,” Mason’s proud father said. “He got paired with Rory Mcllroy, defending champion, and Cam Young, who’s ranked No. 3 in the world. It’s just a dream come true.”
Howell’s advice for his son this week has been to soak up this first experience.
“We know he’s good enough to compete out here, and he knows he’s good enough to compete out here, but he’s never going to have another first Masters. I hope he has a bunch of these in the future, but he’s never going to have another first one,” Robb said. “We just want him to enjoy every second of this first one. If he does that and keeps a smile on his face, then the golf will take care of itself.”
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Howell’s father, Robb Howell, called it a “surreal experience,” when he left the course on Wednesday following the Par 3 Contest. He just witnessed Mason tie for fourth in the Par 3 Contest at 3-under while his sister, Megan caddied for him. The elder Howell has had a lot to smile about this week.
“It’s a dream come true for Mason of course, but for us as well, being able to watch him on such an iconic golf course, such an iconic place. It’s not just the golf but everything else he’s gotten to do this week; the Amateur dinner on Monday night where he gave a welcome address to the crowd,” Howell said. “We got to watch Meg, who’s a junior at UGA, caddie for him (Wednesday) in the Par 3 Contest, which was amazing. It’s just been a super special week for our entire family.”
Mason Howell is used to playing tournaments on the big stage. He competed in last year’s US Open Championship and also won the U.S. Amateur title at The Olympic Club last August. Howell has also been a key part in Brookwood winning four state titles in five years. But competing at the Masters is an experience unlike any other, especially with playing alongside two of golfing’s elite this week.
“Just the prestige of this tournament, being an invitational, it is the hardest major to get in to. It has the smallest field. To get to play in it, at age 18, before you graduate high school is something just really amazing,” Mason’s proud father said. “He got paired with Rory Mcllroy, defending champion, and Cam Young, who’s ranked No. 3 in the world. It’s just a dream come true.”
Howell’s advice for his son this week has been to soak up this first experience.
“We know he’s good enough to compete out here, and he knows he’s good enough to compete out here, but he’s never going to have another first Masters. I hope he has a bunch of these in the future, but he’s never going to have another first one,” Robb said. “We just want him to enjoy every second of this first one. If he does that and keeps a smile on his face, then the golf will take care of itself.”
Brookwood School
Located in Thomasville, GA, Brookwood School is a private school for grades JK-12. Students benefit from a challenging academic program, fine and performing arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.