For me, the Masters Golf Tournament is the entertainment highlight of the year. For nearly 3 decades I have hosted a Final Round Sunday Party to share the excitement with my friends. We gather around several TV's and cheer for our favorites, and even people who rarely pay attention to professional golf end up having a great time. Almost without exception, The Masters ends up being an incredible display of athletic excellence, perseverance, and sportsmanship. The 2020 Masters was, like everything about his year, weird. Because the 4-day tournament normally takes place in the Spring in Augusta Georgia, where the azaleas and begonias are blooming and the trees are bright green the setting is gorgeous. But this year's event had to be postponed until November due to the CoronaVirus Pandemic, so the Fall setting was not at its best. And then there was the absence of the fanatical, deferential and almost religious fans. Due to social distancing requirements, only a handful of fans were allowed to attend this year's event. But half the fun of the tournament is hearing the fans collectively roar when a player makes a great shot or sinks a miraculous putt. When the cheers resonate across the 120 acre facility players often pause to let the noise settle down. There is something special about the pressure players feel when appearing at The Masters. Having millions of viewers watching on TV from around the world creates a certain tension, and the prestige of potentially joining an elite group of past Masters Champions adds unimaginable nervousness too. Nevertheless, every great player wants the opportunity to play in The Masters. Most will tell you it is a childhood dream. The Augusta National Golf Course is, in reality, the star of this sporting event. It has a personality all it's own, and over time, fans get to know every crack and cranny that can jump up at any moment and devour the dreams of the greatest players in history. This week, Dustin Johnsone performed beautifully, and brought the course to its proverbial knees. His record-tying 20-under par score will always be recognized as nearly perfect and special. He makes it look easy, which bothers many critics. Dustin has had to deal with constant criticism about his lack of ambition, or his casual acceptance of coming up short. For some, it doesn't seem to matter that the guy ranks amongst the winningest players of all time, it bugs them that he saunters along, driving the ball into the stratosphere, making birdies and eagles, while acting like he is walking his dog. The Pandemic has forced every professional sport to mutate their format. Unfortunately, Dustin will always have an asterisk next to this Masters title. Through no fault of his own, Johnson was robbed of the thrill of winning before the celebrated Augusta audience. He didn't have to deal with a trampled rough, or extended drama of a final round that finishes with long shadows in a glaring sunet. This tournament was more like the Shell Oil Wonderful World of Golf made-for-TV exhibitions from the 60's. A bunch of guys having a friendly match, scheduled so the West Coast wouldn't miss a minute of pro football. Does the absence of fans make that much difference? Should it demand a footnote in history? Absolutely! There is no substitute for the emotional component fans bring to any live sporting event. Every recorded sporting event title, or noteworthy achievement, that occurred during this year, has been contaminated by Covid19. And history will, if it's to be honest, have to reflect that fact. I'm sorry, but I hope this never happens again because the 2020 Masters simply didn't have the emotional impact I crave. But watching Dustin break down during his winners circle interview salvaged an otherwise underwhelming tournament. Dustin found it difficult to gather himself, and like so many of us this weird year, found himself speechless. His tears of joy and faltering recognition of his family and supporting team exposed the fire inside that burns in every Masters Champion. |
Archives
April 2024
|