Canada’s Kelly Masson, one of the world’s leading golfers with a disability, makes his G4D Tour debut this week at the season-ending tournament in Mallorca.
As the top-ranked player in the Net rankings, he joins five winners from previous individual G4D Tour events and four other players who have qualified via their world ranking.
Featuring both a Gross and a Net competition which run in parallel, the G4D Tour Series Finale @ Rolex Grand Final brings together ten players from eight nationalities.
Held over 54 holes, two winners will emerge at Club de Golf Alcanada, with six players competing in the Gross competition and four in the Net equivalent.
Here, ahead of the season finale, we caught up with Masson – a right leg above-knee amputee –to look ahead to his first experience of the G4D Tour, his expectations and the background behind his journey to the elite level of competition for golfers with a disability.
Could you start by outlining the health condition that resulted in your amputation?
I was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) in June 2008 at 30. At the time, my wife and I already had two boys aged two and three with a third son on the way.
After chemotherapy treatment and many surgeries to try to keep my leg the decision was taken to amputate my right leg above my knee in February 2009.
It was my definitely my wife, my kids, my family and friends that got me through it during those two years. It was just a case of survive, and we can deal with the next roadblock when it happens.
Where did you grow up and where do you now live?
I was born in High Prairie, Alberta, about 400km north of Canada’s capital city of Edmonton. I lived in High Prairie until 2020, when my wife wanted to move closer to her family in Grande Prairie, about 200km west of High Prairie. I have lived all my life in the same 200km area.
How and when did you start playing golf?
I started playing golf when i was around 11 years old with an uncle who would take me to play on weekends. My parents would encourage me and let me try any sports I wanted growing up - from golf to ice-hockey, volleyball and baseball.
What do you love about golf?
Golf is a sport that any person can enjoy regardless of skill level, and then there are the people you meet while playing the game.
When I made my return to playing golf in 2010, there were a lot of friends and my wife who got me back into it again.
A month later, I entered my first CAGA (Canadian Amputee Golf Association) event. I didn’t play very well, but it got me back into the game and I started to meet a lot of fellow amputees.
This made a lot of the hard times easier for me, knowing I’m not the only person dealing with the same issues.
How are you feeling ahead of your first appearance on the G4D Tour?
I’m honoured and excited to have qualified for the G4D Tour Finale in Spain. A little worried, though, as my course back home closed in early October as the weather is already freezing at night (meaning opportunity to practice has been reduced).
Coming from the north of Canada, we only get five months of the year to play outside so you have to get in as much outdoor time as you can in the summer. This has helped me in what limited fitness I can do and keeps me active.
How do you reflect on your form in 2025 - what has been the highlight?
I played very well at the Canadian All Abilities Championship this year finishing seventh overall with gross scores of 76-79-75. This saw me finish first in the Stableford division.
What are you hoping to achieve during the week?
I just hope to play some decent golf. I’m not setting my expectations too high, rather just enjoy the time and let the game happen. I’m usually a fairly decent long iron player and have found a better short game as the years go on, as I can’t hit the ball as far as I used to.
Away from golf, what is your day-to-day focus professionally?
I have worked in the oil and gas industry for almost 30 years on the trucking side of things.
