It’s an event every child dreams of seeing their favorite players compete in up close and personal. The Masters! But not the Masters you may think you know. See, I’m not speaking of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy teeing off at Augusta National. And the winner certainly won’t be gifted that glorified green jacket athletes have come to attribute to golf’s highest honor. Rather, I’m speaking of local Irish legend Joe Coughlan sporting his knee high socks, trademark goatee, and quick-witted charm in a dimly lit gymnasium situated on Galway’s westside.
Despite a lack of commentary by Jim Nance, the weekend tournament is still a tradition unlike any other. Every year, teams from across the world descend upon a host city to reconnect with friends and compete against faces old and new. Men and women aged 40+, 50+, and 60+(!) identify the weekend as an opportunity to disconnect from the rigors of daily life and personal responsibilities and to tap into the nostalgic memories of sport from their adolescence. The Masters rests on the pillars of a simpler time in basketball; a time absent of the politics and business-facing most young athletes encounter today. For these participants, there are no scholarship offers on the line. And sponsorship deals likely stem solely from clubs’ local watering holes. No ulterior motives are present beyond healthy competition and a communal love of the game.
In the midst of a difficult stretch in my own National League season, the Masters Tournament served as a much-needed reminder of why I became involved with sports to begin with. To witness grown adults still be overcome with youthful exuberance and energy because of a bouncing orange ball is a memory I won’t soon forget. Even in the face of adversity, whether on or off the court, it is still a blessing to be able to continue to lace up my sneakers and step between the lines at this point in my life. It’s an opportunity I hope never to take for granted.
It’s been great craic assisting with the weekend festivities, and I look forward to taking up Joe’s open-invitation to represent Galway in the Masters when I become of age (provided my health holds up)!
