Mississippi Gas Station Owner Set for Masters Start

Hometown of the late artist Laura Ingalls Wilder, Ocean Springs, Mississippi is a small city bordering the Gulf of Mexico that celebrates its seafood and the fact that it wasn't completely wiped off the map by deadly Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Regardless of the result, following this week's Masters tournament, it will also be known as the hometown of Steve Wilson, a gas station owner who just happens to love the game of golf, and be damn good at it too.

Wilson, who is now 39 years old, played college golf for Southern Mississippi University and went on to win a number of amateur championships, including the Mississippi State Amateur and last year's U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship held at Milwaukee Country Club.

Shortly following his victory in Wisconsin, a letter from Augusta National requesting his presence for a gathering of the world's best golfers in pursuit of a green jacket arrived in the mail.

“This is like hitting the lottery for me,” said Wilson, who has never been to Augusta National, following his Mid-Amateur victory. “I never believed I could win anything this big.”

Now Wilson, a man without a Wikipedia entry, finds himself next to Tiger Woods, at least in the Masters tournament guide.

Woods offered some advice to Wilson on Tuesday, saying "hit it straight, hit it on the greens and make putts."

Wilson's response courtesy of Masters.com was, "Thanks. I think I'll try that."

Wilson's last PGA Tour event came in September of 2008 in Mississippi's Viking Classic held at Annandale Golf Club in Madison. He missed the cut after shooting rounds of 73 and 77. He did manage to finish in the top 10 of the same event the week opposite Jack Nicklaus's last Masters win in 1986. Then, after 10 years on the mini tours, Wilson earned his amateur status back, and captured his state's amateur title in 2007.

In the meantime, he decided to use his business degree to build a life for himself, and he credits the game of golf for the success he has achieved.

"Integrity is such a huge part of the game of golf and it also is important in business and it played a big part in me getting the opportunity to open the gas station," he said.

On Thursday and Friday, the gas station owner from Ocean Springs will be playing with eight-time major champion Tom Watson and two-time European Ryder Cup team member Ian Poulter.

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