Monday, April 5, 2010

The Greatest Week in Sports?

The first two weekends in April serve as bookends for what many consider as "The Greatest Week in Sports." It's in this ten day period that we get to experience the NCAA Final Four, opening day for Major League Baseball, and the most prestigious tournament in golf--The Masters. 

This Monday will be the busiest day of all, as it will contain the MLB opener as well as the NCAA Championship Game. It's a great day with something for everyone. In baseball, every team--even the Royals--are still not mathematically eliminated from the pennant race. Hope springs eternal as the boys of summer take the field. And after this winter, we need a foreshadowing of summer.

As for basketball, Monday is the climax and conclusion of the 2009-2010 college season. And even though 62 teams and their fans are disappointed they don't have more at stake Monday night, most of the pain of losing in earlier rounds has subsided to a sufficient degree so that the Final can be watched and enjoyed (Go Butler!). As soon as this year's champion is crowned, we'll all be looking to next year as our hopes are rekindled.

Tuesday morning we'll wake up and look to Thursday and the start of the Master's. It should be an interesting week as many eyes turn to Tiger Woods and his returns to the Tour. And whatever you think of Tiger, the Master's signals that Spring is here--or at least it's in Augusta, Georgia and will be coming to a location close to you very soon.

As you watch the Masters on television this week, contemplate what you'd do if you busted a drive off the no. 13 tee and had to carry a 3-wood about 235 over Rae's Creek to reach the green. Would you lay up with a 7-iron or go for the chance at eagle? Maybe it depends on whether or not you were leading the tournament or doing everything you could to make the cut.

What would you do if you were just you and had the chance to play there? How would you manage the challenge of hole 13 at Augusta National?

The legendary Bobby Jones said this about hole no. 13 and this potential dilemma: "Whatever position may be reached with the tee shot, the second shot as well entails a momentous decision whether or not to try for the green. Several tournaments have been won or lost here, even though the decision may not have been obvious at the time." (From the Masters' Official Website)

My friend Jim Elliff posted an excellent piece which uses this dilemma to highlight a spiritual principle. I encourage you to read it at http://ow.ly/1u4M3. I think you'll say "Amen," but not because you've just successfully played Augusta National's holes 11-13.

Enjoy the week!