The Loop

Mason Nome, 15, sees handicap move nearly a point, to +5.4, after round with ace, albatross

August 02, 2016

Mason Nome is a 15-year-old from the Houston area who made news last week by scoring an ace and an albatross in the same round en route to a six-under par 66 from the back tees at Black Hawk Country Club in Richmond, Texas.

So, what does that do to one’s handicap index? In Nome’s case, it contributed to moving it nearly a full point in a two-week span.

On July 15, Nome’s handicap index was +4.6. On Aug. 1, it was +5.4.

Mason-Nome-Handicap-Index.jpg

A couple of other low scores probably contributed, too. Nome shot a 65, likely at the Cypress Creek course at Champions Golf Club in Houston, in a practice round for a U.S. Amateur qualifier a short time later. The course rating/slope there is 75.1/135 (he is the second alternate from that qualifier, having had rounds of 70-72).

He also posted a 67 at what likely is the Fazio Course at Carlton Woods in the area, which has a course rating/slope of 76.4/145.

However he arrived at the +5.4 handicap index, well, to say the least, it’s impressive for anyone, much less a kid too young to drive. He already has committed to playing college golf at Texas.