Jim Nantz is a busy man, in the truest sense of the word. He is a caller, works for live television, sits down to think “of ideas for stories and ways to capture a moment,” and brings his children to and fro from school. But when you ask him how he manages it all, he’d tell you, “I don’t know any other way. I just pack and go on to the next one, whatever that might be.” Perhaps that’s why it’s not surprising that his next calling will come from First Tee, a youth development organization that helps children develop character through golf.

The story began with the PGA Tour and First Tee searching for someone to succeed President George W. Bush. The choice was clear to Bush, so Jay Monahan and Greg McLaughlin, CEO of the First Tee Foundation, called Jim Nantz to invite him for a discussion. Nantz believed the conversation was about his potential appearance at a First Tee event later in the year, but it turned out they wanted him to be the new honorary chair. Reflecting on the discussion and the eventual outcome, an elated Jim Nantz said, “Lo and behold, they dropped this on me.”

Of course, this is a big moment. As the honorary chair of the First Tee, Jim Nantz will be only the third individual to hold this title. Previously, two individuals held the position—his friends, former Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, whom Nantz sometimes refers to as “41” and “43,” respectively. Interestingly, it is also because of his friends that Nantz understands the importance of being associated with First Tee. During the interview, Nantz said that after Bush 43 completed his second term, 41 encouraged him to take on the role, recognizing the fulfillment it brought his father, and Bush 43 served the organization with distinction.

However, becoming the new honorary chair also meant taking on a new set of responsibilities. Jim Nantz already manages the Nantz National Alzheimer’s Center, a research facility named after his father. With so much on his plate, he wondered how he could handle it all. Nevertheless, when he made his decision, he called President Bush, “43,” and told him, “I’ll try to find a way to make you proud.” 

Taking up the responsibility, Jim Nantz said, “I thought it was one of the ultimate ways I could give back to the game of golf.” Nantz plans to attend First Tee’s national meeting in Pebble Beach, California, in September, and they are still outlining his responsibilities. As honorary chair, he will work to raise awareness of First Tee’s impact, support fundraising efforts, and promote the organization’s mission to empower children through various challenges, both on and off the golf course.

This role should feel natural for Nantz, who has been speaking to First Tee chapters nationwide for 28 years. Talking about what he wants to bring to First Tee, he said, “I hope in some fashion that I can help other kids foster and identify their dreams.” First Tee, however, is already a huge responsibility. First Tee’s network consists of 150 chapters that involve over 5,000 active, trained coaches who implement a curriculum developed with guidance from youth development experts, utilizing golf as the medium. Each year, First Tee reaches more than 3.1 million children. While we wait for more development at First Tee, here’s how the golf world is reacting to the news.

The golf world is excited to see Jim Nantz in a new, powerful role

“For the past 13 years, it has been my privilege to support First Tee’s mission to develop young people of character. Jim Nantz brings passion, integrity and a deep love for golf to this role. His voice has narrated historic moments in the sport, and now that same voice will help inspire a new generation,” said President George Bush of this new development.

Of course, that is true about Jim Nantz, who worked at a pro shop for pro Tony Bruno at Battleground Country Club. Nantz has been involved with golf since he was a child. His earliest memory of the sport is joining his parents in clearing fairways at a new golf club they had joined in Charlotte, North Carolina, where they picked up rocks and sticks. Outside it, how can we forget the iconic “Hello, friends?”

Jay Monahan called Jim Nantz ideal for First Tee because of his extensive experience in golf broadcasting, which has captivated fans for 40 years. Monahan noted that “Jim’s voice is synonymous with the biggest moments in golf,” but emphasized that his true legacy lies in the countless fans he has introduced to the sport through his love for the game and respect for its values. These attributes make him the perfect choice for the honorary chair role at First Tee.

Nantz’s CBS colleague Dottie Pepper described his new role as “a perfect fit” and highlighted another reason why this is the right time for him to engage with the youth development program—his son, Jameson. “I think he’s really fallen back in love with the game through his son’s love of the game and seeing the impact it’s had on him,” Pepper noted. Jameson, Nantz’s only son, was born in 2016, a day before the Super Bowl.