This Legendary Masters Broadcaster Announced When He’ll Retire

Legendary broadcaster at The Masters Jim Nantz said that he knows when he’ll retire from his post at the legendary tournament, but thankfully for us, it won’t be anytime soon.

Nantz is famous for his dialogue at The Masters, which only adds to the mystique and the special occasion that is the first Major Championship of the year. He’s set to commentate on his 40th tournament this April, and he knows when things will be done for him.

In an interview with Bunkered, Nantz said he would be hanging it up in 2036, which would be his 51st Masters tournament and the 100th edition of the legendary Major.

He said:

“A lot of things have to happen for that to occur. First off, my health would have to hold up. Secondly, CBS and Augusta National would have to want me to come back. But if all the stars aligned, right now, it feels like a pretty good exit point. April 14, 2036. That is my scheduled retirement date. It would be a perfect place to walk out.”

The thing is, Nantz is well aware that it could be hard to walk away at that point:

“I know what’s going to happen. I’m going to get to that year, and I’m going to say, ‘You know, maybe I could do this for a while longer. We have broadcasters over here that have gone on well into their 80s, so that’s one of those ‘wait and sees,’ I guess.”

The last thing he left at the interview was something that we all wish we had:

“I go off to the side, park a golf cart down there, and duck under the ropes. Thankfully, I’ve got a credential that allows me to do that. I walk down to the creek fronting the green, walk across the bridge, and I allow myself a quiet moment of reflection. It’s a spiritual thing, more than anything. It’s a moment of prayer and introspection, and I just give thanks for the gift of being here. I’ve never taken it for granted that I have a chance to do exactly what I wanted to do as a young boy. So it’s a moment of thanks and gratitude and prayer.”

The day Nantz decides to hang it up will be tough, just as it was last year when Verne Lundquist announced he would not return to his post at the 16th. It will be a different vibe and a different feel. The Masters will move on, but it feels like Nantz’s voice will be one that we all tell our grandkids about.

Cover Image via Golf Digest