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Nothing Short of the greens
Places 18th at Optimist tourney
Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009
 Click here to enlarge this photo Submitted photo
St. Mary's Ryken's Mason Short placed 18th at the Optimist International Tournament held Nov. 7-8 in Florida.
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There was array of high-level competition Nov. 7 and 8 at the fifth annual Optimist International Tournament of Champions at Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge in Winter Garden, Fla.
But out of a field of 60 boy golfers, 16-year year old phenom Mason Short from Waldorf made his presence felt on the greens, tying with Alex Angelone (Bluffton, S.C) and Yifan Liu (Hilton Head Island, S.C.) for 18th with a two-day total of 151 at the Crooked Cat Course.
Jason Roets of Johannesburg, South Africa, was 2-under on Day 2 and 3-under for the tournament to jump ahead of the field and claim the championship in the boys' 16-18 division. With a score of 141 (71-70), Roets finished two strokes ahead of Hayden Squadrito of Oviedo, Florida, who totaled 143 (74-69).
"Everyone played at a high level," said Short , a junior at St. Mary's Ryken. "It was a lot of international kids from around the world — it was very tough competition - but finishing 18th isn't too bad. The course was different and there were a lot of older kids that were experienced and we were playing from a longer distance on the greens, which made it tougher."
On Day 1 of the tournament, Short shot a 1-over par 73 to finish in fifth place. But on day 2 he carded a 78 to end his tournament showing.
"I felt like was in a good spot on the first day to shoot in the tournament," Short said. "I was kind of surprised that I did mediocre because it's such a difficult course. On the second day I shot a 78 and that was my off day.
"I wasn't necessarily happy with my performance in the tournament. This is something that I can take back and learn from and get better in the offseason."
Short mentioned that he plans to play in other tournaments to hone his skills for the upcoming season in the WCAC with Ryken in the spring for preparation.
"Hopefully I will be playing in a tournament in the Bahamas, which will be local talent in the Maryland, D.C. area versus kids in the Bahamas," he said. "That should be pretty fun and I'm looking forward to that. Those kids down there play year-round."
Playing on one of the best championship courses in Orlando, Short had an opportunity to stay in an on-site lodge, just footsteps away from the clubhouse, and practice at one of the best facilities in the world.
"It's really fun down there, the atmosphere is nice and the so is the weather," Short said of the experience. "You definitely had to bring your A game versus the best players in the world, who play year round."
This tournament was a 36-hole stroke play invitational that showcased 19 states, several Canadian provinces and 10 other nations.
Orange County National hosted the PGA Tour's Q-School Finals in 2003, 2005 and 2007 and will host the event again in 2010. Orange County National has also hosted the North Florida PGA Section Championship, the GCSA National Superintendents Championship, Golfweek Magazine's GOLFEST, numerous USGA qualifiers, and several other national championship events.
