CEDAR FALLS - Greg Mason worked around the clock this summer, in a ceaseless dispute with Mother Nature.

His peers took notice.

That explains why Mason, a Cedar Falls native, is about to be tabbed as the 2008 Iowa PGA Golf Professional of the Year.

Mason, a 1988 University of Northern Iowa grad, splits his days between Waterloo's All-Golf Center, Waverly Municipal Golf Course and Parkersburg's Legends Trail Golf Course.

He spent much of the summer rebuilding in the wake of Mother Nature's wrath after an EF5 tornado struck his newly purchased Parkersburg course and floods briefly ravaged Waverly Municipal.

"I made it through with the support of good people, encouraging notes and encouraging e-mails," said Mason.

"A lot of volunteers showed up, and it was kind of neat to see the human spirit we know in Iowa."

The Iowa PGA Section's top annual award is voted on by club professionals statewide. Mason will officially accept the honor at a banquet on Oct. 28 at the Riverside Golf Resort.

Mason said he'll also accept the award on behalf of all who helped him this summer. With the aid of selfless superintendents and all those volunteers, Mason was able to open part of Legends Trail for members by July 10. The Parkersburg course fully reopened on Labor Day. Waverly Municipal was closed barely two days in the wake of record flooding.

"That's just (due) to some of my stupidity, or orneriness," Mason explained with a laugh.

The most avid golfers at Mason's courses suggest it was relentlessness, not orneriness, that explains Mason's recent honor.

"He works more hours than anyone I've ever met," noted Waverly Municipal regular Bob Lenz. "He's always there. He greets you with a smile - and usually has a good joke for you."

His summer was trying, to say the least. But Mason was re-energized when he first got word of his award from Iowa PGA Section chairperson John Dinnebier, a friend and former Cedar Valley resident.

"I've always loved the golf business," said Mason. But "this definitely makes you feel good about what you're doing and the direction you're going, for sure."

Contact Kelly Beaton at (319) 291-1456 or kelly.beaton@wcfcourier.com