Gotta admit, I’m not thrilled with Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s decision to not allow Sparta’s World Shooting and Recreational Complex to host this year’s Grand American. The state has decided the coronavirus pandemic makes it too risky to hold the event.

On the other hand, I wouldn’t have been thrilled if he had green-lighted the event.

The Grand American, sponsored by the Amateur Trapshooting Association, is the largest trapshooting event in the world. The WSRC has been home to the event for more than a dozen years. Thousands of shooters from the United States, Europe, Australia and South America attend each year.

Make no mistake, the Grand American is an economic engine for Southern Illinois, generating millions of dollars annually. State Rep. Terri Bryant, R-Murphysboro, called the cancellation a “$30 million kick in the gut.”

It’s difficult to argue with that assessment.

Having said all that, let’s not pretend this was an easy decision for the Governor, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois Department of Public Health to reach.

Math was never my strong suit, but there are enough memories from high school algebra to realize that there are two sides to an equation.

For that reason, I’m not shocked by the state’s action.