Former Randolph- Henry High School golf standout Evan Mason will soon be continuing his career at the college level after having formally announced in the spring that he would be playing for the University of Lynchburg.

“It was awesome,” Mason said in reference to his opportunity to play college golf. “I’ve put in a lot of hard work over the years. I’ve had a lot of people support me, swing instructors, a lot of good friends out at Briery (Country Club), and of course all of my golf coaches and my teams that I’ve been with in middle school and high school. It meant a lot to have everybody support me.”

This is something Mason has known he wanted to do for a while.

“I used to play baseball when I was younger, but when I was about 8 or 9 years old, I started taking golf seriously enough,” he said. “I told my dad, I said, ‘This is what I really want to do when I get older.’”

There were a few different collegiate options Mason was considering prior to making his choice.

“I was interested in Bridgewater (College) and Virginia Wesleyan (University) also,” he said. “I went for a tour with those two, and then I went to Lynchburg … and when I went to the open house and met the coach and got a tour around campus with them and was talking to him, I just knew Lynchburg was the right spot for me.”

Statesmen Head Coach Kelly Powell expects the Hornets to benefit significantly from Mason.

“He had an outstanding high school career at Randolph-Henry,” Powell said. “He went to the state (tournament) as an individual, then the team went to the state. I think with his passion and his enthusiasm to want to play and be good, I think he’ll bring a lot to the table for Lynchburg.”

Mason said his goal entering his freshman year is simply to become a better player overall.

“That was the main thing that I was focused on coming in,” he said. “If I have to take a back burner and not be starting in the top five right away, that’s OK. I’m just trying to become better as an individual, better as a player.”

For helping him reach the college ranks, he thanked his parents, Powell, swing instructor Adam Smith, Larry Dunn and others at Briery Country Club.

Mason plans to major in sports management.