Jim Nantz reveals career goal is to broadcast the 100th Masters in 2036
Could Jim Nantz really call 51 Masters tournaments? He says that's his goal because he wants to call No. 100 at Augusta National.
By
Kyle Porter
•
1 min read
Jim Nantz has become one of the staples at Augusta National. Like pimento cheese sandwiches and the Par 3 Contest, Nantz's presence at the Masters has not wavered since he started broadcasting in 1986.
"My first Masters in '86, beating myself up after Jack comes through and I had said, 'The Bear has come out of hibernation,' I stayed in the tower until the green-jacket presentation," Nantz told the Times Union last year. He said the famous Ken Venturi found him after that tournament and told him something he hasn't forgotten.
"He pulled up and said, 'Jimmy, jump in the cart. You're going back to the compound?' I said, 'Yes, sir' He said, 'Let me ask you a question. How old are you?' 'I'm 26, sir.' 'I'm going to tell you something. You may be the first guy ever to broadcast 50 of these. You will never see a day greater than this around Augusta National."
Nantz recently told Sports Illustrated he thought his goal was to announce 50 like Venturi said. He changed it to 51 though. Why? Because No. 51 would be No. 100 overall for Augusta.
"Knowing that the Masters always ends on the second Sunday in April every year, I looked it up: My 50th Masters would be April 8, 2035," said Nantz. "So I thought that would be the day I would retire."
At some point a few years ago at a golf dinner, Nantz realized he really wanted to go one beyond that.
"I got up and told the story ... about 50 Masters, and when the night finished, I sat down with Ken [Venturi] and (broadcaster) Jack [Whitaker], having a nightcap, Jack said, as only Jack Whitaker can, 'Jimmy, I've been thinking about what you said up there today," Nantz told the Times Union. "It was a great story. I want you to do 51.' I said, 'Why is that, Mr. Whitaker.' He said, 'Well, I've been thinking. Your 51st would be the 100th Masters. I think you need to be there for that one.'"
He added recently to Sports Illustrated that this remains the goal.
"I know it sounds a little crazy. Here we are in 2016 talking like this. But there are great, iconic voices working in their 70s, churning out quality work. This is all subject to be reexamined but I really want to make it to 2036 health willing and CBS willing."
