Every year, the first major of the golf season is greeted by birds chirping (real or not), and seas of pink and white azaleas that make The Masters Tournament more event than golf tournament.
Indeed, when Augusta National talks, the golf world listens. But there are some things that even Augusta cannot control, like Mother Nature.
According to published reports, unseasonably warm temperatures this winter have catapulted the clubs famed azalea bushes into full bloom more than a month before this years championship that is scheduled for April 3-9.
It was first reported in late February that the azaleas were in bloom early and that those expecting Augustas typical spectrum of pinks, whites and reds probably would be in for a drab color palette come April. Azaleas, according to the Azalea Society of America, typically bloom for about two weeks.
With temperatures soaring this winter and expected to remain above average off and on over the next few weeks, it does not appear much is going to happen to put the azalea bloom into a stall.
The average daily high in Augusta was 71 degrees in February, which is 11 degrees above the historic average, and average temperatures in January were almost 9 degrees above normal, according to the National Weather Service.
This year would not be the first time the tournament was played without its signature azaleas. Many already had bloomed and wilted on parts of the course prior to the 2012 tournament.