Yes, sir: Lundquist set for last CBS call
Verne Lundquist’s final broadcasting assignment will be at the 2024 Masters for CBS.
To that we are compelled, in the words of “Uncle Verne,” to say: “Yes, sir.”
Since 1983, Lundquist has been on the call from Augusta National. This year will mark his 40th tournament on the microphone at the Masters.
Lundquist has been the lead announcer for the par-3 16th hole and the 17th hole. From his perch, Lundquist has become part of the soundtrack at the Masters year for multiple generations of golf fans.
“It will be emotional,” Lundquist said of his final call this weekend.
Who is Lundquist?
Lundquist was born in 1940 in Minnesota. His broadcasting career began at WFAA in Dallas, where he was the radio voice of the Dallas Cowboys from 1967 to 1984.
He broke through nationally with ABC Sports (1974-81). Since 1982, he’s worked at CBS, except for a two-year stint (1995-97) with TNT.
Lundquist became famous for calling college football, men’s college basketball and, obviously, golf.
He also contributed to CBS’ Olympics coverage in 1992, 1994 and 1998.
He played himself as a golf announcer in the 1996 movie “Happy Gilmore.”
Lundquist’s top Masters calls include 2 Tiger Woods moments
Lundquist’s calm demeanor and ability to dial up excitement within a moment made him the quintessential golf announcer.
His call at the 16th during Jack Nicklaus’ 1986 Masters win is considered one of the all-time golf highlights.
And in 2005, he famously served as the soundtrack of Tiger Woods’ remarkable chip-in:
“Oh my goodness ... oh wow! In your life have you seen anything like that?” Fourteen years later, Lundquist uttered “I am compelled to say ... Oh my goodness,” as Woods birdied the 16th to give him a two-shot lead in the most dramatic Masters victory in recent memory.
“He has just an amazing ability to bring in the audience and describe a situation and just be able to narrate it in a way that is poetic but it’s also – he describes it with emotionality,” Woods said this week. “He just draws the audience in.
“That’s what I grew up watching. I grew up listening to Verne. And he made a nice call there at 16, and it’s one that I’ve been lucky enough to – I will have that memory with Verne for the rest of my life.”
When did Lundquist call the SEC on CBS?
From 2000 to 2016, Lundquist was the lead play-by-play announcer for the “SEC on CBS.” He first worked with Todd Blackledge and then Gary Danielson in the booth.
Lundquist was behind the mic for many memorable college football moments, notably the “Kick Six” during the 2013 Iron Bowl between Alabama and Auburn.
Lundquist’s last college football game was the Army-Navy contest in 2016.
Is he retiring?
Yes.
After he stopped calling college football, Lundquist remained on CBS’ college basketball broadcasts for the next two seasons. He retired from that role prior to the 2018 men’s NCAA Tournament due to back surgery.
What Jim Nantz said about Lundquist
Jim Nantz is the lead host for the Masters on CBS and has been Lundquist’s partner for 37 years.
“His calls are truly legendary,” Nantz told reporters this week.
How old is Lundquist?
Lundquist is 83.