It just doesn’t seem like spring without The Masters.

I remember my 1st visit to Augusta National.

I was working as an editor at night for a Columbia newspaper. Getting up at 7 am when I got home at 2 am to drive to Augusta was a bit of a challenge.

Fortunately, my roommate worked days so he drove and I slept on the way.

One of our sports writers was ill and I was offered his press pass. Being young and game, I grabbed it,

The press pass got me into the clubhouse after it was over where Arnold Palmer donned the green jacket as the 1st to win it 4 times.

That was a thrill.

As you may know, the intended dates for this year’s tournament are Nov. 12-15.

“We want to emphasize that our future plans are incumbent upon favorable counsel and direction from health officials,” club chairman Fred Ridley said.

The average temperature in Augusta on Nov. 15 is 69 degrees, according to Weather Underground.

That’s cool, but good if you are playing. We know golfers who don’t let freezing temperatures stop them.

The PGA decision came with most sports shuttered by the virus.

The British Open scheduled for mid-July has been canceled for the 1st time since World War II. The Players Championship was called off after the 1st round due to the danger of spreading the infection.

Autumn dilemma

The NCAA and NFL don’t know if they can start their football seasons on time.

No one knows if we will face a fresh wave of covid-19 when the autumn weather turns cooler.

The Lexington County Blowfish, MLB officials and the minor leagues are counting on having a season, if somewhat shortened.

The PGA Championship originally set for next month is scheduled for Aug. 6 in San Francisco. The USGA rescheduled the US Open to start Sept. 17 in Mamaroneck, N.Y.

Competition on TV

We no longer drive to Augusta. It’s a hassle and easier to watch at home.

Besides, if MLB is playing baseball, colleges and the NFL are playing football, why would you want to be stuck on the Augusta National course when you could be channel flipping to watch everything?

This fall could become a sportsaholic’s paradise.

Our biggest challenge could be in channel surfing that we might miss the big play of an important game.

We might catch it on instant replay or a review of the big plays at half time and the end of the game.

For fans of the Little Sisters of the Poor, it will be tough to give up their game to watch the Masters.

But that’s life.

Got a story about the Masters? Email it to Chroniclesports@yahoo.com .