Beyond incomparable beauty and inevitable drama, sounds have always separated the Augusta National Golf Club from all others venues in professional sports. Nowhere can you hear an event better.

A virtual amphitheater of pine trees and valleys, the course frames the audible reactions of the crowd, defining sounds as much by variety as volume.

The gradual rising roar of a Nicklaus gallery. The emotion-soaked eruption of Arnie's Army. And, new in the past three years, the electric explosion of fans following Tiger Woods. Birdies and eagles have their own distinct dins, and the direction of a cheer defines on what hole the action is occurring.

And, among the sounds most easily identifiable, most quintessentially Augusta, is one that has been heard more consistently than any.

For the last 29 years, Leo Beckmann has entertained and informed spectators at Augusta National's 18th green, serenading them with a syrupy tone and silky delivery that defines Southern sophistication.

Integrating career statistics with the pertinent numbers of the day and the occasional anecdote, he has announced each approaching player and kept the people that camp out alongside the 18th green abreast of what is happening around the course. Mostly, though, his classy and personable greenside manner, along with the gentle tone of his voice, have heightened the final hole's atmosphere.

``He's something special. He has added a lot of dignity,'' said Augusta National member David Roderick, a scoring official at No. 18. ``He does it in a very dignified manner, a very human manner. The crowd really enjoys him. And his voice, there's only one of those.''

Beginning next year that one won't be around.

After nearly 40 years at the Masters - he announced at the ninth green for nine years before moving over to No. 18 - Beckmann is retiring following today's final round. At 78, he says his health is fine, but figured that the timing was right to step down.

``I love getting out on that green, but it's time to let somebody else try it,'' said Beckmann, a PGA professional for 59 years. ``It has been in every way above what I expected. When I first went to No. 9, I was scared to death. I didn't know what was coming out of my mouth. After the first time, I guess I just kept improving.''

It will be difficult to improve on Beckmann, who succeeded Ralph Hutcheson, Augusta's original 18th-hole announcer, in 1969.

Johnny Paulk will move from the ninth green to No. 18 next year and Scott Davenport will begin announcing at No. 9. The director of golf at the Sea Island Golf Club in St. Simons, Davenport says he will be aware of Beckmann's style when he starts his volunteer assignment.

``I think the reason Leo has been so good here is he just has a great way with people and a wonderful personality and a great love for the tournament and its traditions,'' said Davenport. ``He gave me a few clues.''

Davenport could not have found a finer authority on golf-course announcing.

With a natural wit and charm, Beckmann made his mark by making his work less routine than craft. He says the two keys to what he does is staying a step ahead of the scoreboard - ``I love to scoop the board,'' he said - and being as inconspicuous as possible.

``I never asked a gallery to cheer for a player because I figured if the player deserved applause, they would applaud,'' said Beckmann, who also announced at as many as six PGA Tour events a year during his career. ``You have to pick your places. Every Sunday night at 7 o'clock for the last 29 years, I've been one of five people inside the ropes, but I've never shaken the winner's hand.''

Part of that is because the year he took over at 18 was the year after Roberto de Vicenzo was disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard after the final round and he never wanted to be a distraction. A bigger part is that he always understood his job was to be understated.

``He has certainly added to the game here,'' added Rod Desroaches, who has watched the Masters from No. 18 since 1971. ``He's a gentleman and certainly well-suited for what he does. I see him every year and we talk. It's like seeing an old friend. It will be strange not to see him next year.''

Spectators won't be the only people who miss him.

``I've seen a lot of people come and go over 40 years here, but Leo is special,'' said Arnold Palmer, who formed a relationship with Beckmann when the Savannahian served on the Ryder Cup Committee from 1961-69. ``He's been a special friend over the years and he's been great for the tournament.''

Beckmann lists Palmer's four Masters wins and Jack Nicklaus' six among his favorite memories of Augusta. He says he'll also always remember Ben Hogan's third-round 66 in 1967 at the age of 54 and the two three-man playoffs in which he served as an on-course official on Mondays.

Actually, he says, he'll remember every minute he spent here.

``The fans and the members here have treated me so very well over the years,'' said Beckmann. ``It's all been wonderful. I'll miss the people, I'll miss it all, but I have no regrets in leaving. It's been a lot of fun.''

Today, as evening creeps in, he will announce his last champion in his last Masters. He'll put down his hand-written notes and walk away.

Then, Leo Beckmann's gentle voice will roll gently over the knolls and hills of Augusta National's back nine, down to Amen Corner and into the pines and dogwoods where it will forever linger with other fond Masters memories.