Verne Lundquist has been part of the CBS Sports golf crew since 1983 and has called the action at the Masters Tournament every year since then, except 1997-98. Lundquist, 65, has covered everything from pro football to the Olympics in his career, but to golf fans he is probably best known for two of his Masters calls: Jack Nicklaus' birdie at No. 17 in 1986, and Tiger Woods' chip-in at No. 16 in 2005. He recently spoke with Sports Editor John Boyette about his role on the Masters broadcast:

Where does golf rank in your list of assignments?

It's still near the top. I was a regular member of our golf crew from 1983 to 1995. It was a very significant part of my year. When I came back, (CBS Sports President) Sean McManus had changed the complexion of our golf crew. When I came back, the offer was to do NFL and college basketball. He also said, "I'd like you to do the Masters and the PGA."

What's it like working on the Masters broadcast?

When I was first asked to join our golf crew, in the fall of 1982, I went to CBS to do college football. I had done a few golf events at ABC, but nothing with any regularity. I got a call, and they offered five events, including Augusta. I did a double-take, and quietly yelled into the phone. Pebble Beach, Memorial, Byron Nelson, Colonial and Masters. It's a very good group. Those five events became 17 events. The highlight was Augusta. I can still vividly remember driving into the TV compound for the first time.

You've called the action on several holes (13, 14, 15, 16, 17) at Augusta National. Which one is your favorite?

How could you not love sitting at 13? How could you not enjoy what's going on at Amen Corner? The old tower at 17 was really high and looked into the setting sun. I told Sean McManus they can haul my carcass up into the tower at 16 every year. That's just a beautiful spot.

How did you get the assignment at No. 17?

One of the ironies is that Frank Liebler, who had done the 17th hole from 1968-85, passed away after the Masters. My first year at 17 was 1986.

Did you ever imagine that your role in the booth would become part of the tournament's lore?

No. I never did. Obviously, I'm honored that it is. Because it was Jack in '86, the putt gets replayed. And because it was Tiger last year, his chip shot will get replayed as long as golf is played. And that's a pretty special thing.

As Jack made his charge on the back nine, did you get caught up in the excitement?

Yes, I think we all did. I think when Phil won two years ago, there was euphoria among all of us. I'm in the compound afterwards, and now I'm the old-timer. We were all celebrating. (Coordinating producer) Lance Barrow said, "You know, for me, it's still going to be Nicklaus in '86." We grew up in the Nicklaus era. To see what he did at the age he accomplished it, it's still the most memorable sporting event I've been a part of.

When did you know that Nicklaus was making a run?

When he birdied 10 and 11. We all thought he'd fallen back. At one point, Jack might have saved a par on 8, but Lance said to (then-director) Frank Chirkinian, "I've got Nicklaus on tape doing something." And Frank famously said, "Nicklaus is not a part of this tournament." When he made the turn, I'm sitting up on 17, and I'd take the headset off and you could hear things going on around the golf course. I've never heard a buzz like that.

Take us through the call on Nicklaus' birdie putt at No. 17.

My recollection is that Jack was getting ready to hit (his) second shot on 17, and Seve (Ballesteros) hit it in the water on 15. We knew when Jack was getting ready that if he could do something magical on 17 he was going to be in good shape. He's 12 feet above hole, and we went elsewhere in the telecast. I remember thinking, "Don't get in the way of this." Obviously, you're aware he's looking at a birdie putt for the lead.

Frank took his time at getting the shot, but he set it up. He gave me plenty of time to set up the putt.

When it's on the way, a foot and a half away, I said "maybe," then it dropped and the whole world exploded.

When Greg Norman made his birdie putt on 17, you also said "Yes sir!" Is that your signature call?

I've consciously never tried to use that call again. Well, for crying out loud (when told he said it on Norman's putt). That is interesting. I've tried not to use the phrase all that often.

What kind of fan reaction do you receive?

It's very special. It happens at sporting events. No one has ever run up to me at an airport and said, "Yes sir!"

You also called Tiger's chip-in at No. 16 last year. That was pretty memorable, too.

I think the shot was improbable, if not impossible. The creativity and imagination it took to pull that off was pretty amazing.

Today on TV Jim Nantz Remembers Augusta: The 1986 Masters, 1:30-2:30 p.m., CBS