James Mason, Gus Ulrich lead PGA Senior Stroke Play

PORT ST. LUCIE – New year, same result for James Mason.

Two days after a dominating 11-shot victory in the Quarter Century Championship, Mason remained red-hot Sunday by shooting a 5-under 67 to lead the 60-and-older division of the PGA Senior Stroke Play at PGA Golf Club.

Mason, who won once on the PGA Tour Champions, is a combined 16-under in his last three rounds in the PGA Winter Championships. He had six birdies and a bogey on the Wanamaker Course to lead Chris Dachisen (69) of North Palm Beach by two shots.

“I’m doing a lot of things right,” said Mason, the PGA Teaching Professional at The Orchard Golf and Country Club in Clarkesville, Ga. “I’m not having to hunt for my golf ball. I drove the ball well today and I putted well. That’s usually a good thing.”

Paul Parajeckas, Mike San Filippo and Jim Sheerin are tied for third place at 70.

In the 50-59 division, Gus Ulrich of Whispering Pines, N.C., fired a 3-under 69 to lead by two over Rick Morton and Steve Barber. Ulrich bogeyed the first hole on the Ryder Course with a three-putt, but made four birdies from there.

“I knew it was going to be a tough day and I had to grind it out,” said Ulrich, the PGA Director of Instruction at Pineweld Golf Academy. “After the mess-up on 1, I made a couple of long birdies on 3 and 4 and I played steady from there.”

Barber made 17 pars and a birdie, while Morton had four birdies and three bogeys for their 71s. Seven players are tied for fourth at 72: Mark Brown, Mitch Lowe, Dan Olsen, Mark Mielke, Stu Ingraham, Kirk Stauffer and Kevin Syring.

The PGA Winter Championships, conducted by the PGA of America, are presented by Golf Advisor and PrimeSport.