PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida – With nearly 2,000 employees in the TPC Network across the United States, Melissa Mason, food & beverage server at TPC Sugarloaf, has been named the 2025 recipient of the Network’s A. James Clark Award. Now in its 11th year, the annual award is given in recognition of an employee who upholds the values of the TPC Network and who exemplifies Mr. Clark’s same commitment, strong work ethic and inspirational leadership.
Mason has been a cornerstone of TPC Sugarloaf since the club opened in 1997, demonstrating steadfast dedication to the club and exceptional service. Approaching every interaction with care, professionalism and authenticity, Mason is a leader at TPC Sugarloaf and a trusted face to the members.
“Melissa is a true team player who leads by example. Her dedication to service goes far beyond expectations, and she has an extraordinary ability to make every individual feel special, welcome and appreciated day in and day out,” said Jarred Kimball, TPC Sugarloaf Director of Food & Beverage. “The level of care she provides to our members is nothing short of exceptional and her commitment to creating memorable experiences is evident in everything she does.”
Consistently recognized by members for going above and beyond, Mason sets a high bar for excellence and creates lasting impressions every day. Her passion, longevity and dedication to TPC Sugarloaf embody the values of the TPC Network and the spirit of the A. James Clark Award. Mason’s hard work and unwavering commitment have made a memorable impact on TPC Sugarloaf employees, members and guests alike.
Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Mason graduated from the University of Alabama and moved to Atlanta in 1996. Her contributions go beyond her professional responsibilities, where she is actively engaged in the Atlanta community, supporting local youth baseball leagues and the foundations of her favorite sports teams. She also participates in charity walks and helps pack supplies for food donations and sports clinics.
“Receiving this award means so much to me. TPC Sugarloaf has truly become a second home, and even after nearly 30 years, I’m still excited to come here each day, work with our amazing team and be a part of the members’ lives for so many years,” said Mason. “I’m deeply grateful to the TPC Network and the PGA TOUR for this honor, and to the incredible team here at TPC Sugarloaf. Together, we strive to provide exceptional service every day to make unforgettable experiences for our members and guests.”
The inaugural A. James Clark award was presented in 2015, with past recipients of the award including Jody Boudreau (TPC Sawgrass), Dulce Muniz (TPC Southwind), Maggie Peebles (TPC River’s Bend), Jose Murillo Rodriguez (TPC Deere Run), Noel Hall (TPC River Highlands), Robin Morello (TPC River Highlands), Alex Rodriguez (TPC Harding Park), Elizabeth (Beth) Stentiford (TPC Boston), Misty Kadel (TPC Summerlin) and Danny Caldera (TPC Summerlin).
Each TPC club submits one nomination, with all nominees recognized on the A. James Clark plaque at each of their respective clubs. The overall winner is honored on the permanent plaque located at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Mason will be recognized with a plaque and donation to the charity of her choice, Atlanta Community Food Bank.
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About Mr. A. James Clark
The PGA TOUR started working with Mr. Clark in 1987 and named him to what was its Investments Board in 1991. He became a member of the newly created PGA TOUR Golf Course Properties Board in 1994, a position he held until his death in March 2015.
The career of A. James Clark is a true American success story. As a young man, fresh out of the University of Maryland in 1950 with a degree in Civil Engineering, he joined a small local general contracting company that he would eventually own. Over the course of the next sixty years, his leadership and vision transformed it into one of the largest privately held and most successful construction companies in the nation. Clark Enterprises built power plants, hotels, military barracks, government research facilities, museums, sports arenas and transportation projects. Forbes Magazine once dubbed him the “King of Concrete.”
Clark Enterprises was contracted to construct the 77,000 square-foot Mediterranean Revival-style clubhouse at TPC Sawgrass, a project the company completed in 10 months, just in time for the 2007 PLAYERS Championship.
As an engineer, entrepreneur and philanthropist, Mr. Clark was the recipient of many academic, professional and civic honors. He was an honorary Trustee of the University of Maryland College Park Foundation, where he contributed tens of millions of dollars to the University, which named its engineering school after him. He was also an Emeritus Trustee of The Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Medicine.
About TPC Network
Owned, operated and licensed by the PGA TOUR, the TPC Network is comprised of 31 premier private, resort and daily fee golf properties designed by some of golf’s most elite architects. Sixteen of the clubs are operated by affiliates of PGA TOUR Golf Course Properties, Inc. Each TPC meets the requirements to host TOUR-sanctioned events. Since TPC Sawgrass first opened its world-renowned PLAYERS Stadium Course in the fall of 1980, TPCs have provided the PGA TOUR with rent-free venues for tournaments, helping to boost championship golf purses and increasing charitable donations to grass roots non-profit organizations. At the same time, TPCs have provided recreational golfers with the unique opportunity to test their skills on the same layouts where the world’s best golfers compete.
TPCs are known for their history of hosting PGA TOUR-sanctioned events, their outstanding conditioning and amenities, as well as a commitment to environmental excellence. The TPC Network is also distinguished by its unwavering commitment to further the PGA TOUR’s mission of giving back through support of charitable and grass-roots programs. For more information, please visit www.tpc.com. For the most up-to-date news, follow the TPC Network on Twitter (@PlayTPC), Instagram (@PlayTPC) or Facebook.com/TPCNetwork.