Mason Fox has been competitive for three years, “But I’ve been playing my whole life,” he says. His father adds, “He had a golf ball in his baby crib in the hospital.” Mason wants to be a professional golfer when he grows up, which is only four years from now. “I’m addicted to it,” Mason says.

For him, golf teaches honesty, integrity and good sportsmanship, and the competitive aspect of it is helping him improve his game. Apparently it’s paying off since he won the state AAU golf championship last summer and will play in the national tournament this June in Kingsport, Tennessee.

Finally, his name was called: “From Sarasota, Florida: Mason Fox.” He stuck his tee in the ground, held his club perpendicular to the grass and concentrated. He took a few practice swings, each with an agile follow-through. The ball was then hit with a thwack and disappeared into the horizon, accompanied by the requisite polite clapping of a golf tournament crowd before he headed off down the course. Mason Fox came in first for his age group that day.

The AAU provides ambitious young golfers like Mason Fox with “a quality, comprehensive golf program with age being the one criterion for competition.” The program offers instruction, camps and clinics and holds state and regional events. A Mason Fox-like skill is not necessary for children to participate. The program gives young golf enthusiasts “quality instruction, affordable tournaments and teaches valuable life skills such as self-discipline, courtesy and fair play that will last a lifetime”. For more info, visit www.ChampionsGT.com