A Life Fulfilled

Written By: Marlene Osteen | Issue: Winter 2024

Erika, Emily, George and Morgan

Erika and George Mason’s initial encounter was so unremarkable that when asked to recall the date they both struggled to do so.

Their backstories turned out to be eerily similar. Despite these uncanny connections, it took nearly three years from that unassuming day before they officially became a couple. The details that eventually unfolded are as follows.

The son of a father in the paper industry and a stay-at-home mom, George Mason mostly grew up in Lancaster and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

On weekends he and his father bonded over rounds of golf, but George was more intrigued by the pristine landscapes than the game itself. Encouraged by his father, he worked on a local golf course maintenance crew during a high school summer break. Unsure of his career path after graduation, George attended community college, while continuing to work at the golf course.

Within a year, he joined Penn State University’s Turf Grass Management program, now certain that his future calling was as a golf course superintendent. In college, he befriended a fellow classmate, who was employed at the Cullasaja Club, and informed him of an open assistant superintendent position at Highlands Cove Club (now the Old Edwards Club). It was 2004 and George was 25.

As he recalled later, “When I got to Highlands and looked around, I thought to myself, “What have I done?’ I figured I would stay for the summer and move on, but I fell in love with the small-town life and the premium they put on golf and stayed.”

In 2006, two years after George arrived in Highlands, Erika moved to Cashiers. Though she didn’t know it at the time, her upbringing in Danville, Kentucky, closely mirrored George’s. Likewise, her mom stayed at home and her father, who worked in business management, instilled in her a love of golf. She played golf recreationally while at the University of Kentucky and post-graduation, landed a job at Florida’s Naples National course, thanks to the recommendation of her brother-in-law – an assistant golf pro.

Three years later, fascinated by the club’s caddies’ tales about Highlands, she applied for and accepted a job at Mountaintop as the club’s merchandiser. While there she became friendly with club member and Old Edwards President Lou Miller.

Miller had long thought that George and Erika would be a great match, a sentiment shared by one of Erika’s friends. Their initial meeting happened on a spring day when Erika was visiting with the same friend.

As George recalled, “I was out working on the golf course and Lou came over and grabbed me. He started dusting me off and trying to clean me up.

“He said, ‘Come on, you need to come meet this girl.’”

The two remember meeting briefly, saying “hello,” but both were underwhelmed.

As Erika recalled, “I was caught off guard.”

But destiny clearly had more in store for the couple. Three years later, in 2012, when the Old Edwards Club Retail Operator post opened, Erika assumed the responsibility. In search of a roommate, she unexpectedly turned to George.

Still, despite shaing a townhouse they seldom saw each other, and the relationship remained platonic. That is, until six months later, when George worked up the courage to ask the question that would change everything, “Do you ever wonder why we’re not together?”

Surprised but non-plussed Erika thought, “what took you so long?”

It was kismet. George swiftly found himself captivated by “Erika’s humor and quick wit, and her incredible calm. She very rarely loses her cool.”

Erika, in turn, was equally enamored, noting, “He’s very attractive, and extremely loyal, and my favorite thing about him is his sense of humor.”

From that moment on, their lives accelerated. Erika was promoted as the head Golf Professional at Old Edwards.

In the fall of 2013, George proposed in the simple and straightforward style that would become emblematic of their eventual lives together. He came home for lunch one day and simply told Erika he wanted to take the next step.

“For us, lunch, particularly in the wintertime was our time together and it seemed like an appropriate occasion to ask,” George told me.

They were married on January 22, 2014, at The Farm at Old Edwards in a ceremony that was as “simple” as George’s declaration of love. In attendance were 16 of their immediate family and friends.

“It was was perfect, as simple and understated as we are,” Erika said.

That authenticity has become the hall-mark of their lives ever since. George and Erika, now parents to two daughters, 9-year-old Morgan, and 7-year-old Emily are happiest at home with each other and their children.

When asked about what sets their relationship apart, they return to the recurring theme of their partnership.

Erika articulates, “It’s our simplicity. George and I spend a ton of time together and honestly, he is the only person I want to spent time with. He’s the first person I think of for anything.”

The couple emphasizes the profound connection they share, describing themselves as remarkably attuned to each other’s rhythms.

Erika expresses gratitude for the stability they’ve cultivated, stating, “In a world that can often feel turbulent, our lives feel remarkably steady. We’re content in our careers, proud of the lives we’re building for our girls, and fortunate that we don’t argue.

In recent years, the couple has intentionally slowed down. Erika transitioned out of golf two years ago and currently owns and operates the Cashiers Store in Cashiers. George continues his role as Superintendent at the Old Edwards Club, and both relish spending time outdoors. Erika takes pride in maintaining the lawn at the home they built together on Norton Road in 2016.

Their most joyous moments revolve around family activities and, not surprisingly, playing golf. George readily admits that Erika is the superior player.

As we concluded our interview, Erika shared with me, “I am very happy where we are right now, and what we’re accomplishing as a family. If nothing ever changed, we’d be fulfilled.”