Augusta National is a place where silence can never be mistaken for inaction. Given that the United States remains in the grip of Covid-19 – and its sporting calendar has impacted accordingly – it would be a mistake to assume that those presiding over the Masters cheerfully believe that their event is not influenced.
In his latest bulletin, in early April, the president of Augusta National, Fred Ridley, tried to “emphasize that our future plans depend on favorable advice and guidance from health officials.” This will be the most intense of looking briefs.
At present, the 2020 Master remains on its rescheduled start date of November 12th. To the extent that the polls are valid in relation to an organization that makes the secret services of the Blabbermouth appear, Augusta National still expects that date to remain valid.
Apparently for a detailed discussion it is whether spectators should be admitted to one of the most legendary places in sport. Imagine winning the sport equivalent of Willy Wonka’s gold ticket before finding out that you were not allowed in?
Strange as it may seem, the Masters has become the forgotten element of this professional golf year. Great attention has been paid to the USA PGA Championship, which will start late in the major year in early August.
The fact that the US Open will subsequently be held on the outskirts of New York, a city all too familiar with the impact of the coronavirus, has kept this tournament in the spotlight. An angry debate surrounded the participation or otherwise of the Ryder Cup. The Masters, having acted quickly in proposing its November date, were widely considered a competition that will take place on the other side of the global crisis.
It is fair to acknowledge a $ 2 million donation made by Augusta National for coronavirus relief. It must also be recognized that the wide corporate span of club members – and therefore decision makers – means that there should be no danger of out of this world behavior. In theory, that is; you just need to take a few steps inside Augusta National to appreciate how seriously they take their golf tournament.
In the end, despite inevitable noises about strength for good and a little respite from the world of observers, that’s all. When Ridley’s predecessor Billy Payne mourned the loss of a tree that fell in a 2014 storm, it was clear that the outlook may not always be abundant in Augusta. “At the time, I was in the Bahamas fishing for bones,” was Payne’s famous memory. “I received the emergency call, I returned as quickly as possible.” To underline: this was a tree.
Last Thursday, over 1,400 health workers in Georgia signed a petition that asked the state governor to impose further restrictions – such as closing the bars – to stop the spread of Covid-19. The new cases had increased by 50% in one week. The letter asked that face coatings become mandatory.
He added: “We are witnessing a very worrying increase in hospitalizations which, if they continue, will overwhelm our health infrastructure, not only in Atlanta but also in rural Georgia. Georgia is simply not prepared for a wave of cases and hospitalizations. “So, like much of the United States, this situation is not improving.
It could still prove that November offers enough space to make things easier. Yet right now, it seems that little can be changed within 16 weeks. And Augusta, of course, cannot make last minute decisions. The vast green expanses would make television viewing interesting without patrons, but a Master minus those who line up the fairways would be worse off on countless levels.
In the most complex circumstances, we also have the prospect of two Masters within six months while Augusta goes from the modified version of 2020 to its typical staging at the beginning of 2021. Even for a body that enjoys making the impossible seem normal, it seems that suddenly. Yes, Augusta could invest in the most advanced technology that controls the temperature – or the pulse, or aftershave – of the spectators at the entrance, but this resource could really be better used elsewhere.
Next weekend, the best golfers in the world were to line up at Royal St George’s for the Open. Given the current scale of coronavirus, R&D has undoubtedly made the right choice to postpone for 12 months. At best, the Claret Jug would have been awarded to the winner of a significantly diminished event, even before unnecessary pressure on public services was expected.
Golfers will be desperate to compete in the Masters, either their first or the 25th . A number of opinions in the United States – inside and outside of the sport – suggest that we must live with Covid-19 while continuing to act as normally as possible. For others, this approach is offensive. At a basic sporting level, one must be asked at what point a blue chip event is modified enough to lose value.
“Along the way, we hope that the anticipation of the staging of the Masters tournament in the autumn will bring a moment of joy to the community of Augusta and all those who love sports,” added Ridley. It could be true. However, this is also a scene full of difficulties. The absence from the front line has not changed it.
