John Mason is the PGA Director of Instruction at Encinitas Ranch Golf Course and the founder of thegolfmason.com. He has been playing and teaching the game of golf since 1971 and is a highly decorated PGA Professional (see below). Locally he has been a member of the Encinitas Coastal Rotary Club since 1997 and was named the Rotarian of the Year in 1999. “Coach” Mason, as he is affectionately called by his team, is a two time PGA Jr League National Championship captain/coach, guiding his teams to victory in 2015 and 2018. He attended San Diego State University, playing on the men’s golf team and graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.
Mission Statement
My mission as an instructor or coach has always been to help each student decide why they play the game of golf and how we can work together to find their level of enjoyment.
Having played and observed others playing the greatest of all games since 1971, I realize people play for many various reasons. Since there is no such thing as a perfect golf swing, I find what works for my students and we build on that. We use video when needed, go out on the golf course to see where weaknesses may lie and stress short game as the great equalizer.
My goal is to educate every one of my students on the physics of why the ball goes where it goes and then give them the tools necessary to master the shots needed to play any golf course in the world.
Playing Highlights
Amateur Golf
All Navy golf team 1978
San Diego State University men’s golf team 1980-82
SDSU Point Loma Invitational champion 1982
San Diego City Amateur champion 1982
San Clemente City Amateur champion 1982
Professional Golf
PGA Tour qualifying school 1985-1989
Palm Springs Open champion 1987
PGA Tour qualifying school finals 1987
Australian PGA Tour member 1988
Long Beach Open champion 1989
PGA Club Professional Championship 1993,94,95,96
San Diego Chapter PGA Assistants Champion 1993
San Diego Chapter PGA Match Play Champion 1992 & 1996
PGA Tour Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines 1995, 1997, 2000, 2002
PGA Tour Nissan Los Angeles Open at Riviera C.C. 1997
San Diego Chapter PGA Player of the Year 1999 & 2001
Teaching Highlights
State of California PGA Teaching Hall of Fame 2017
Southern California Section PGA Teacher of the Year 2005
PGA Jr League 2 time National Champion team Captain / Coach 2015 & 2018
SCPGA San Diego Chapter Teacher of the Year 2004 & 2018
Professional Experience
PGA Director of Instruction – Encinitas Ranch – Encinitas, Ca. 1998-Present
PGA Head Professional – Encinitas Ranch – Encinitas, Ca. 1997-98
PGA Teaching Professional – Surf & Turf – Del Mar, Ca. 1995-97
PGA Teaching Professional – Cottonwood El Cajon Ca. 1990-95
Golf Shop Staff – Singing Hills – El Cajon, CA 1979-90
Education
Class A Membership – Professional Golfers Association of America 1993
Bachelor of Science – Business Administration – San Diego State University 1982
PGA Committees and Awards
San Diego Chapter PGA Teacher of the Year 2018
State of California PGA Teaching Hall of Fame 2017 inductee
SCPGA Youth Player Development Award 2014
SCPGA Horton Smith Award 2012
SCPGA Teaching Committee Co-Chair 2010-2013
SDCPGA Teaching & Coaching Committee Chair 2010
SDCPGA Horton Smith Award 2009
SDCPGA Golf Professional of the Year 2008
Past SCPGA Board of Directors
SCPGA Tournament Committee 2005-present
San Diego Chapter PGA President 2006-08
San Diego Chapter Presidents Award 2007