There’s no next-best thing

We begin at the top when we start in to list the global sporting championships compromised by COVID-19. It’s no joking matter, so we speak in hushed tones about postponement of the Bent Shaft Classic and lesser world events.

It’s not a tragedy. It’s just a golf tournament. But what will we do with our time, with golf courses closed and our television sets empty of live sports?

I can work, I’m lucky to say, and my office is the Red Room behind my house. I’m not losing salary, tips or benefits. I don’t have to go out, and if I do it’s only to walk the dog and take advantage of my neighborhood supermarket’s parking-lot delivery of liquor, beer and — I believe — food.

I can report, if not for any newspaper anywhere because there aren’t any. I’ve got this little space here and a voice heard by literally numbers of people worldwide.

I can hang with my family, and I do, because they, like myself, are stuck with me. They love me. They might not like me.

I can practice sound psychological principles, like self-love. It’s easy — I just study my golf swing in the mirror.

So keep the faith, brothers and sisters. There will come a time, out there in a changed future we can’t yet see from here, when we’ll be slapping golf balls for real on the green grass of open courses in the company of people. That will be a day.

This week in golf and culture

Grey Goatee Golf Association (3GA) Tour
April 4: The 15th Annual Bent Shaft Classic, Capitol City Golf Club, Lacey USA.
Postponed

Major League Baseball
Opening week in ballparks everywhere.
Postponed

The Final Four
April 4 & 6, Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta.
Canceled

Out there

The Masters
April 10-13, Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Ga.
Postponed

Kentucky Derby
May 2, Churchill Downs Racetrack, Louisville.
Postponed

PGA Championship
May 14-17, TPC Harding Park, San Francisco.
Postponed

The Indianapolis 500
May 24, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis.
Postponed

Women’s U.S. Open
June 4-7, Champions Golf Course, Houston.
Postponed? Not yet

U.S. Open
June 18-21, Winged Foot Golf Club, Mamaroneck, N.Y..
Postponed? Not yet

The Championships, Wimbledon
June 29 — July 12, All England Club, London.
Canceled

The Open Championship
July 16-19, Royal St George’s, Kent, England, UK.
Postponed?