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The Best Unknown Sports Broadcast of the Year

On the surface, this broadcast event is fun because it's overwhelmingly low-key, and they invite legendary players and past champions to compete. But that's not what makes it so otherworldly special.
Robert J. Elisberg
By 

Columnist and screenwriter.

Columnist and screenwriter.
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This is more of a Media Alert than anything. But pay heed, it's that worth it.

Today (Wednesday, April 4) is one of my very favorite sporting events of the year -- the Par 3 competition at Augusta before the Masters. Yes, I know that there are now people racing away from their computer screens, crying in agony at even having to read the words. But hold on. It may not sound like much, but it's the most utterly enjoyable golf broadcast even for people who can't stand golf. Or maybe even who can't stand sports.

On the surface, this broadcast event is fun because it's overwhelmingly low-key, and they invite legendary players and past champions to compete. But that's not what makes it so otherworldly special. What sets it apart is because they let the players bring their children on the course to caddy for them.

What results is often hilarious and heart-breakingly adorable. Seeing six-year-olds wearing oversized caddy jump-suits is funny enough all by itself, but beyond that you have little kids struggling with golf bags bigger than they are, kids skipping down the fairway obliviously to the crowds and event, little kids walking up to a golf ball sitting on the putting green and doing what little kids do when they see a ball on the ground -- kicking it across the surface, pro golfers holding hands with their adoring children as they stroll down the fairway, golfers letting their kids putt for them and more. It's really a joy and highly recommended, sort of like a peaceful, beatific, fun day at the park. It's not a tour event, of course, but it
is
an official competition -- however, the most low-key one you will ever see. Even if you don't watch live, or just have it running in the background, it's worth recording and then fast-forwarding through later. But just to give you a little idea, here's a 2-1/2 minute reel giving a hint of what it's like. (By the way, the clip at the 1:50 minute mark I watched live. You don't see who it is at first, but it's Arnold Palmer on the final 18th green, and though there's no sound on this, just know that the roar for him was as big a one as I've ever heard.) At the very least, watch this, for goodness sake --

The event airs at 3 p.m. Eastern time, noon on the West Coast. ESPN.

If you're not by a TV, I believe that it may be streamed live from the Masters website.

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