Nantz: Fans' love, respect for Nicklaus is palpable
Web posted
Friday, April 8, 2005
Editor's Note: CBS broadcaster Jim Nantz is handling his 20th consecutive Masters Tournament this week. In honor of the 50th Masters telecast on CBS, Nantz will offer stories and insights in daily conversations with Augusta Chronicle writer Scott Michaux.
My favorite memory of the day took place at 3:20 p.m., just after we recorded 80 minutes of golf as a safeguard.
Our esteemed producer, Lance Barrow, confident the weather had cleared for good, called a halt to the taping and implored us to return to our towers in a half-hour for the live broadcast.
As someone who treasures nostalgia, the timing could not have been better because Jack Nicklaus was about to begin his round. I scurried down the 18th tower just in time to witness a glorious outpouring of support for Jack. One filled with love, appreciation and, of course, sympathy. In short, everything you would expect. Thousands shared the moment, including the oldest living Masters champion, Byron Nelson.
It is a quite a sight seeing Lord Byron greeting the players. The handshake, the linking of the generations; it is powerful. A memory more valuable than any souvenir.
Having said all that, I heard a great one today from a member of the gallery whom I had met years ago at the tournament. Bill, from Canada, told me how a year ago he walked off with Arnold Palmer's last Masters divot.
How does that work, you ask. Apparently, Bill waited by the ropes, all the while eyeing the valuable piece of history. Eventually he coaxed a caddie to toss the turf in his direction, somehow managing to keep the chunk intact. At that point, he dropped his gem into a Masters cup, added a little water for good measure, and somehow managed to keep it alive a few days until he got back home.
At that point, he planted the cherished prize in the back yard.
He reports that it not only survived the journey, but that the bent grass also spread to create a "significant sized" patch.
So if anyone wants to know whatever happened to the last piece of earth Arnold ever affected in the Masters, it has found a home in Ontario. Very clever!
Eye on CBS
The 1967 Masters Tournament was the first live broadcast of a golf tournament from the United States to Europe. Gay Brewer Jr., who lost in a playoff the year before, edged Bobby Nichols by a stroke to win the green coat.
| Jim Nantz's Masters Diary |
| Editor's Note: CBS broadcaster Jim Nantz finished his 20th consecutive Final Four on Monday night in St. Louis and immediately turned his attention to his 20th straight Masters Tournament. In honor of the 50th Masters telecast on CBS, Nantz will offer stories and insights in daily conversations with Augusta Chronicle writer Scott Michaux: |
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