MT. CARMEL — For the first time in more than five months, we saw a live high school sporting event as Mt. Carmel welcomed Carmi-White County, Fairfield, Hamilton County, and Harrisburg for the the Mt. Carmel Boys and Girls Golf Invitational.

Unfortunately, it only lasted a few holes before a storm rolled in, causing the event to be canceled.

With apologies to Barbara Walters, this is 2020.

Boys and girls golf, along with girls tennis, as well as boys and girls cross country received the green light from the IHSA to play in the fall–with modifications due to the ongoing pandemic, some added just this week by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

The players and coaches went over those rules in lengthy pre-match meetings–rules such as mandatory masks except when making a shot, leaving the flag sticks in, and social distancing. Coaches, spectators and media were also required to wear masks at all times on the course.

The social distancing protocols made waiting out the storm nearly impossible, so the event was called.