The biggest event of the PGA Tour is undoubtedly the Masters. With all fans focusing on the performance of the top golfer teeing off at the Augusta National, there is pressure mounting on the team working backstage. Though the efforts are being unnoticed by the team in the back seat and players with their performance get praised. But recently, Jim Nantz‘s fellow shared his experience of the first Masters broadcast that led him to panic with the back-counting closing just before the premiere.
Sir Nick Faldo is a retired English professional who had an exceptional career with 43 professional wins, including six major victories. The golfer, after his exceptional feat on the course, joined the CBS Sports team as an analyst and joined the renowned Jim Nantz. The commentator had some great memories with his fellow, but for Faldo, the greatest memory was his first appearance as part of the CBS team covering the Masters.
Recently, at the GOLF.COM interview, he was asked, “Jim Nantz, I wanted to ask you about your pal. Do you have a favorite memory with him, looking back at all your time together?” Answering this, the 67-year-old praised Nantz for his stature being a professional commentator. But his favorite memory came from his first Masters, where he was part of the biggest gig of the golf schedule.
Further, he shared about his experience saying, “You know, you do minimal rehearsing, you go down at whatever 2:00, and you sit and I’m sitting there, and then suddenly I look out and I thought ‘God, this is Butler Cabin.’” Well, apart from experiencing the Butler Cabin as a crew member, what still stays at the top of his head is the moment when Nantz left him alone.
Sharing for which Faldo continued how the reverse counting began, and 10 minutes before apart for Nantz and Faldo, everyone was allowed to take a break before the broadcast started. They both kept sitting and preparing themselves, but as the count came to 30 seconds, “Jim [Nantz] jumps out of his chair,” and left the room.
The moment when the count was decreasing and Faldo was left alone in front of the camera made him nervous, and he rehearsed if Nantz didn’t show up. He said, “I hear five and there is no Jim Nantz and I’m sitting there and I think, ‘Oh sh*t it’s gonna be me.’” Faldo continued to share his anxiety and panicking moments as the count continued. He shared, “I’m panic, I had a split second of what the heck… and Nantz just waltzes in, sits down and goes, ‘Hello friends, welcome to the Masters.’” The doubt of being alone just before the broadcast at the Butler Cabin for his first coverage left him in a state like never before. But with just split seconds, Nantz came back to his spot and started the broadcast in style. A pure moment of relief for Faldo, but the memory of a lifetime for him with his mate. Even further, he went on to share, “You have no idea what’s happening behind the picture with 3 seconds to go.” In front of a huge worldwide audience, 3 seconds can feel like a lifetime. Who would know that better than Faldo, who experienced it in his first gig at the Masters?
Well, now that, after 16 years, Faldo has stepped away from his role as lead analyst, he is working on a new way to improve the younger talent, partnering with Trackman.
Nick Faldo’s approach for young golfers
The retired professional knows how important it is to build a base for golf. Considering that he recently started his The Faldo Futures series, where 7-25-year-olds can participate in high-level amateur events. The partnership with the Trackman tool helps the younger golfer to play at the renowned course using the stats, and based on their performance, they get the chance to compete in the grand finale, which takes place in Europe and the UAE.
For his initiative, he shared, “So what we are trying to do is just get more kids interested in golf because you know the simulator golf is climbing, more people are playing simulator golf, and if we can get those kids out onto the golf course, that will be a good job.” Well, the simulator golf has been peaking as TGL, which had doubts of success, has garnered 504,000 viewership on average for season one. Even for Faldo, it is an opportunity to give recognition to younger talents.
The golfer, with his long career and still aiming to help younger talents, has left an impact for a lifetime. But what has left a memory of a lifetime for him is what Nantz did at his first appearance at the Masters. Did you know about the incident before? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
The post Jim Nantz Nearly Ruined 3x Masters Champion’s First Day at CBS Job: ‘You Have No Idea..’ appeared first on EssentiallySports.
