25 - Mason Carmel on Resilience, Vision, and Creating the Elite Invitational

In this episode of the Driven Golf Podcast, Jim interviews Mason Carmel, the tournament director of the Elite Invitational Junior Golf Tournament. Carmel shares the journey of creating one of the most prestigious junior golf events in the U.S., from its humble beginnings to becoming a top-ranked tournament attracting elite junior golfers worldwide. Listeners will hear how Carmel’s lifelong connection to golf, deeply influenced by his father, shaped his career and eventually led him to found the Elite Invitational during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mason also shares unique stories, including his memorable “Bottomless Bogey” incident, where his determination to retrieve a golf ball from an alligator-infested creek became a legendary moment. His insights into the challenges of running a world-class tournament, the importance of creating opportunities for young players, and the role of character in selecting participants highlight his dedication to junior golf.

In Angle of Attack with Andrew Lewis (@andrewlewisgolf), Andrew & Jim answer listener-submitted questions on communicating with college coaches and what is "typical" for junior golf development from ages 12 to 16.

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DRVN.Golf Blog Post: "WAGR Files: Junior Golf in Jordan"

• Guest: Mason Carmel (⁠@theeliteinvitational)
• Host: Jim Colton (⁠@drivengolfanalytics)
• Producer: Joseph Kay (@joseph_kay)
• Music by: DG Beat Labs (⁠@dgbeatlab⁠)