Convincing arguments as to whether the invention of television improved our quality of life can be made on either side of the issue. More TV means less reading, a less proactive brain, a duller vocabulary, a less fertile imagination and the manufacturing of easily marketed products, instead of useful ones that make the world a better place.

Still, thanks to the likes of Shemp, Barney Fife, Floyd the Barber, Perry Mason, Buddy and Sally, The Riddler, Catwoman, King Tut, Ginger, Sgt. Carter, the original Darrin Stephens, Samantha Stephens, Dudley Do-Right, Ted Baxter, Fred Sanford, Rallo, Jim Ignatowski, Dr. McCoy, Det. Connie McDowell, Homer Simpson, Larry David, Kenny Powers and Claire Dunphy, the verdict has arrived: TV, good.

Making good things better is what America’s all about. Otherwise, we’d still be adjusting the rabbit ears on our fuzzy black-and-white television sets.

All of which brings us to the Lawrence Amateur Golf Association city championship, a good event. All good things must get better. It’s the American way.

First, LAGA organizers must do a better job of keeping the rain away. It always seems to disrupt the schedule. OK, so maybe that’s asking a bit much. Rain caused a two-hour delay Sunday at Alvamar public, and other than rolling thunder that hinted at another interruption that never came, it was smooth sailing.

“It’s amazing the course played as well as it did after taking on that much water,” said Mike Grosdidier, who again won the senior championship flight.

An accomplished tournament player who has competed throughout the state, Grosdidier knows what works and what doesn’t. He offered a great idea for what would increase participation numbers in the city tournament, which in recent years has been played one day at Eagle Bend, one day at Alvamar public. Grosdidier suggested that all four 18-hole courses in Lawrence join the rotation. Just 65 golfers, including just two women, participated this year.

“The country clubs need to get involved,” Grosdidier said. “To get the numbers back up, that’s what it’s going to take. You could have it at Eagle Bend and Alvamar Country Club one year and at Lawrence Country Club and Alvamar public the next. That way, a course gets tied up just one day every two years.”

Perfect.

Golfers who take advantage of the unlimited golf deal at Eagle Bend had to pay greens fees to play Saturday. Change that rule, and more golfers will sign up. And let the country club members pay just the $25 LAGA fee, not extra greens fees, to play their own course. Tons more golfers would participate.

The two country clubs can show off their courses to prospective members for one day every two years.

Now’s a good time for courses in town to market golf through the LAGA city championship because former Kansas University golfer Conrad Roberts, by winning the event five years in a row, has made it such a compelling story.

Speaking of golf, remember when Herman Munster, decked out in Scottish garb, took his son Eddie to the links, hit his first tee shot 1,500 yards and later destroyed the green? Thank you, television, for that moment.