CBS Sports' Nantz is golf's best, most entertaining storyteller
By: Jim Williams
Examiner Sports Columnist
July 5, 2009
Sitting atop the tower at Congressional Country Club’s 18th hole today is Jim Nantz, CBS Sports’ masterful and entertaining golf storyteller.
Nantz has a knack for capturing the moment better than any other announcer in the business.
Sitting along side him at No. 18 is partner Nick Faldo, seen by astute golf fans the past few days patrolling the AT&T National’s action on Old Blue via golf cart.
This duo are perfect for talking about the final pairing, having just the right balance of history and present day facts to make it interesting to the viewers.
We spoke about the importance of context in golf as well as Tiger Woods’ role as a tournament host.
What makes the history of golf so important to golf telecasts?
Nantz » “When you think about it, only baseball has over a hundred years of history to draw from. So each week that we do a golf tournament, we are writing another chapter in golfing history. But golf is not about numbers, so this is not a fantasy sport. It is a sport of characters and the hundreds of stories that can be told.”
How about Tiger Woods and his ability to host his own tournament?
Nantz » “Tiger has a wonderful understanding of the history of running tournament. He is so very close to Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, playing in both of their tournaments each year. He understands how they run their events with style and grace. Tiger has done such a great job bringing a golf tournament to the Nation’s Capital on the 4th of July weekend that honors the troops and the military in general. There is no doubt that he has done it right.”
We know that Tiger has done a great deal with his foundation, but do you think the PGA is often overlooked for their charitable work?
Nantz » "You know that I think that the PGA and golf in general does not get their due when it comes to the money they raise for local charities nationwide each year. The PGA raises more money for charity each year than the NFL, NBA, Major League Baseball and the NHL combined."
Nantz will be back to the area later this summer with his football partner Phil Simms to do the preseason broadcast of the Patriots when they visit the Redskins on Aug. 28.
Also, CBS Sports will be hosting the upcoming Super Bowl and Nantz and Simms will handle the play-by-play duties for the big game.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. Check out his blog, Watch this! on washingtonexaminer.com.
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