The Most Wonderful Time of the Year?

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year?
by Robert McIntosh

It feels great that spring has finally shown itself to the world. Days are longer and brighter, and it seems as though everyone’s mood is lifted.  Spring is also an action packed time of year in the sports world.  As the calendar turns into April, I couldn’t help but think, is April the busiest sports month there is?

All of the major North American sports are represented in April, in some way shape or form.  Let’s go through the list.

The NBA and NHL seasons are both in the midst of their most exciting points of the schedule as they wind toward the playoffs in the middle of the month.  In both leagues, teams are either trying to stake their claim as a legitimate contender for the ultimate prize or are battling for those final precious playoff spots.  As we’ve seen in previous NBA seasons, with teams like the Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs, they are already preparing themselves for that championship run. Just getting in the playoffs is more pertinent in hockey, as we saw last year during the Los Angeles Kings’ run, a team on a hot streak with a solid goaltender can have a legitimate shot at raising Lord Stanley’s Cup.

As for America’s Pastime, April signifies the close of Spring Training games and the start of games that actually count in the standings.  Major League Baseball began their season on April 1st this year, and you’d be a “fool” not to believe that the start of the regular season didn’t have a number of people awaiting its arrival.

All the while, the NCAA is wrapping up their “Road to the Final Four” and NCAA Championship Tournament.  Congratulations to the University of Louisville on a great season and for winning the National Championship.  

Shortly after the NCAA Tournament, the PGA Tour heads to Augusta, Georgia to showcase one of their Major, and most popular, tournaments, The Masters.   In this writer’s opinion, The Masters is the most intriguing tournament in the PGA season because of the history behind this Major.  It’s nothing short of majestic.

Not to be outdone, the NFL Draft is taking place to give the avid football fan a taste of the gridiron in the spring.  Who will go first this year?  What big names will be dealt?  All eyes will be on what the Jets will do with their All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis, so stay tuned.

No matter your preference, there are tons of options available for your viewing pleasure.  With so many sports represented, how can this not be the most wonderful time of the year?

The Spirit of The Masters

The Spirit of The Masters
by Robert McIntosh

This weekend, one of golf’s legendary tournaments takes place in Augusta, Georgia.  While the PGA Tour season has been underway for some time now, for many fans The Masters represents the unofficial start of the season.  As the first Major Championship of the year, it holds a special place in many golfers’ hearts.  No golfer is more excited than Phil Mickelson.  Mickelson expressed this sentiment just before the start of this year’s tournament.

“To be in the thick of it, to feel that excitement.  To grace Amen Corner knowing you need birdies and trying to win a green jacket, that is the greatest thrill a golfer can possibly experience.”

Mickelson, along with many other golfers playing this weekend, hope to earn the privilege of wearing the green jacket.  In order to do so, the winner will have to “master” Augusta National’s fairways and greens. 

Heading into the tournament, the player most poised to make such a run seems to be Tiger Woods.  After three early season wins, he’s regained the number one ranking on the PGA Tour for the first time since October 2010.  While his game has been coming together at the right time, it has been five years since he last won a major.  Will he be able to pull it off this year and put a cap on his comeback?

While Woods is the clear favorite, there is no reason to discount the likes of Mickelson, Rory McIlroy, and last year’s recipient of the green jacket, Bubba Watson.  All four have an excellent chance of being declared the tournament’s winner on Sunday.  But, keep an eye on the lefties; left-handed hitters have won five of the last ten tournaments. 

There are many story lines to follow in this year’s Masters Tournament, but none greater than the Masters itself.  Clifford Roberts couldn’t have said it better about the course he and Bobby Jones founded together.

“While we may not have expected it originally, we have created a tournament of such importance that we are bound to see that it continues.”