March 29, 2001
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - After shooting a career-low to claim the individual title at the Kauai Collegiate Cup at Princeville last weekend, junior Eric Mason has been recognized as the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week.
Mason shot a 7-under par 65 in Saturday's final round and shot a 9-under 207 to claim medalist honors in the tournament, the second straight year a Hilltopper has claimed the individual title. He has finished in the top 5 in both tournaments this spring, including a fourth-place tie at the San Diego Invitational March 19-20. His 71.8 stroke average this season is second only to Arkansas-Little Rock's Daniel Fox (71.6) in the conference.
Mason's play led the way in a dramatic final round comeback staged by the Hillltoppers, who entered the final round of the Kauai Collegiate Cup in fifth place 12 shots behind the leader. Western shot a combined 14-under par 274, including personal bests from senior Chris Cassell, who shot a 66, and John Mullendore, who broke par for the first time in his Western career with a 71. The Hilltoppers passed three schools en route to a second-place finish behind defending champion San Diego.
The Western Kentucky men's golf team will return to action this weekend at the Johnnie Owens March 30-31 in Lexington, Ky.
