For a man whose Masters career started with covering Jack Nicklaus’ epic 1986 victory, it’s obviously expected that he’d reach where he has. This year, Jim Nantz entered the ’40 Club’—an exclusive set of folks who hold the bragging rights to broadcasting the Augusta National for four decades. But after so long, you’d expect Nantz to retreat, publish the overused “want to spend more time with my family” phrase in a carefully created retirement presser. The truth is: He’s here to stay. Or more specifically, “I would love one day to say I’m there for the 100th playing in the Masters.” And that’s not because Nantz particularly enjoys the monetary benefits (which, of course, is a perk). It’s love.

It’s so much love that every house the broadcaster has lived in so far had to have a replica hole of Nantz’s favorite golf courses. When he lived in Pebble Beach, California, his backyard had a 50%-scale replica of the seventh hole at Pebble Beach. When he moved to Nashville in 2021, his first job was creating a miniature of the green complex of the par-5 13th-hole at Augusta National. “My son learned to ride a bike on our putting surface at Pebble. My youngest daughter relished using it as a stage to perform her dances and somersaults as the music played on the sound system. Making our Nashville endeavor the ultimate backyard for our kids was paramount,” the veteran had noted.

Perhaps that explains why despite lending his voice and his signature “Hello friends” to the NFL, the NCAA or the NBA, it’s the quiet game of golf that has embraced the phrase most wholeheartedly. And that also includes Nantz’s colleagues—a live example of which we got on the May 8 episode of the Awful Announcing podcast—as much as it does the fans or the players. When the podcast host pointed out, “The way [Jim Nantz] used to go from the Final four in front of these loud, ruckus crowds one week, to then the Masters the next, and managing to to fit both environments perfectly…It’s probably understated how difficult that is,” South African golf commentator Mark Immelman delved deep into his colleague’s personality. 

“We have a group of announcers at CBS where you can sense the feeling for a player when something goes wrong…not just by the words that are said, but by the way they are delivered. And, obviously, Jim is the tip of the spear, because he’s just so vastly experienced. And that voice of his? It has everything. It’s got gravitas, there’s a melodic tone to it, and he’s just easy to listen to,” the commentator stated, when the host asked how it’s like working with a person like Jim Nantz. Heads-up: Immelman went all out. “I’ve got to pinch myself at times when we sit in meetings or when we sit around a dinner table and I look around the table and there’s Hall of Fame people all over the show…But the thing about Jim is that he’s not a respecter of titles,” he said before adding:

“Whether you are just a beginner or whether you’re Verne Lundquist who’s called thousands of events, he treats everybody the same. And so he makes you feel like you’re part of the crew. He’s tremendously caring, he’s real loving. He’s kind of like a big brother, like a father in many respects. He’s our team leader. But he does so with such grace, it makes it easy for anybody. And there’s no doubt that he leads us, and he stands at the gate for us as. So he makes the job tremendously well.”

Notably, throughout his incredible four-decade career, Jim Nantz has become linked to some of the most memorable sporting moments. Before transitioning to television, Nantz, a University of Houston alumnus, played golf. As evidence of his close ties to his alma mater, he was inspired by the Houston Cougars’ stunning victory over Duke during the 2025 March Madness tournament, which guaranteed them their first appearance in the national title game in almost 40 years.

Jim Nantz: A storied career rooted in humility and passion

Numerous honors have been given to Nantz in recognition of his services to sports. In 2023, he was inducted into the PGA of America’s Hall of Fame for his contributions to golf broadcasting. He was also given the Dave Marr Award for his enthusiasm for the sport, evidence of his commitment and love for golf. Despite his accomplishments, Nantz maintains his humility and frequently credits his early experiences and mentors with opening doors for him.

In the future, Nantz has stated that he would retire following the 2036 Masters Tournament, his 50th year of covering the competition. This choice, which coincides with the tournament’s centenary edition, demonstrates his wish to end his career on a high note.

Fans can still appreciate his unique analysis, which is distinguished by its kindness, wisdom, and unflinching love for the athletes and the sport, until that time. Mark Immelman’s thoughts on Jim Nantz provide a fascinating look at the traits that have characterized Nantz’s professional life. In addition to improving the viewing experience for audiences, his egalitarian philosophy and intense love of sports have raised the bar for broadcasting professionalism. Nantz’s legacy reminds us that genuine greatness requires humility, respect, and an unshakable dedication to excellence, even as he continues to appear on our televisions.