ATLANTA, GA. - Behind a truly incredible and historic year, Mason Howell of Thomasville is the recipient of the 2025 Tommy Barnes Award!
Established in 1998 and named for one of Georgia's most legendary amateur golfers, the Tommy Barnes Award recognizes the GSGA's overall Player of the Year and is the highest honor given to an amateur player in Georgia.
Howell's stellar 2025 was highlighted by becoming the third-youngest winner to capture the U.S. Amateur Championship when he defeated Jackson Herrington of Tennessee 7-and-6 in the 36-hole final on Aug. 17 at The Olympic Club in San Francisco.
With his victory, Howell joined Bobby Jones (1924-1925, 1927-1928, 1930) and Steve Melnyk (1969) as the only Georgians to hoist The Havemeyer Trophy. At the time of the 2025 U.S. Amateur, Howell defeated the No. 2, No. 6, No. 17, No. 21 and No. 89 ranked amateurs in match play.
But Howell's accomplishments in 2025 don't stop there.
Howell posted an incredible 63-63 to claim medalist honors at Piedmont Driving Club in Atlanta to qualify for the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club. The soon-to-be University of Georgia Bulldog also claimed medalist honors at the U.S. Junior Amateur at Trinity Forest Golf Club in Dallas.
Thanks to his victory at the U.S. Amateur, Howell represented the victorious Team USA at the Walker Cup in September at Cypress Point Club going 2-0-1 in his debut. In October, Howell traveled to Singapore to represent Team USA in the 2025 World Amateur Team Championships. Howell also made his non-major PGA TOUR debut at the RSM Classic in November at Sea Island Golf Club.
It will be a busy 2026 for Howell as he is slated to compete in three of the four majors - The Masters Tournament, U.S. Open and The Open Championship - and certainly will be a force in the amateur ranks.
The Tommy Barnes Award is voted on annually by the GSGA's Championship Committee. For previous winners, CLICK HERE.