A Tradition Unlike Any Other … The Masters on CBS Sports

Here’s a press release on CBS Sports’ coverage of The Masters. There are certain times of the calendar that are owned by one network. January usually goes to Fox and CBS for the NFL, March and early April to CBS for the NCAA Tournament and The Masters and so forth.

When you hear this music, you know you’re watching The Masters. It’s called “Augusta” and written Dave Loggins. Last year, I posted the version from complete with lyrics that aired on NHK from Japan, but I think that was taken down. UPDATE, 12:50 p.m. – I just checked the archives and I guess I didn’t post it. Oh well. I saw it at YouTube. It’s not there anymore.

Anyway the theme, then the press release:

TREVOR IMMELMAN DEFENDS 2008 MASTERS® VICTORY

CBS SPORTS BROADCASTS MASTERS® FOR 54th CONSECUTIVE YEAR

Masters® Is Longest-Running Sporting Event Broadcast on One Network

The Masters®, the most renowned tournament in golf, will be broadcast on CBS for the 54th consecutive year from the majestic setting of Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga. This year marks the 73rd Masters Tournament, one of the most highly anticipated sporting events of the year. Defending champion Trevor Immelman returns this spring looking to win his second Green Jacket.

CBS Sports will bring viewers all the color, artistry and drama inherent to the world’s most prestigious golf tournament and first major of the year with live third-round coverage of the Masters on Saturday, April 11 (3:30-7:00 PM, ET). Final-round 18-hole coverage is scheduled for Sunday, April 12 (2:00-7:00 PM, ET). Highlights of early-round play will be presented by CBS Sports on Thursday, April 9 and Friday, April 10 (11:35-11:50 PM, ET; both nights).

For the 24th consecutive year Jim Nantz will cover the Masters for CBS (his 22nd year as host). He also handles coverage of the Highlight Shows, originating from Butler Cabin on the grounds of Augusta National. Three-time Masters winner Nick Faldo joins Nantz in the 18^th hole tower as lead analyst. Peter Oosterhuis will describe the action at the 17th hole; Verne Lundquist, the 16th hole; David Feherty, the 15th hole and Highlight Shows; Bill Macatee, the 14th hole; Peter Kostis, the 13th hole; and Ian Baker-Finch will tell the story at the 11th and 12^th holes. Billy Kratzert and Ian Eagle return along with Matt Gogel to call the live streaming video action for Amen Corner Live and 15 & 16 Live.

Augusta National, home of the Masters since its inception in 1934, is the unrivaled host to the world’s greatest players and the most memorable moments in golf. Immelman returns to Augusta to lead the tournament field of invitees, which is considered America’s most prestigious gathering of professional and amateur golfers. The 2009 tournament field of invitees expected to compete includes past Masters champions: Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh, Mike Weir, Jose Maria Olazabal, Mark O’Meara, Larry Mize, Ben Crenshaw, Fred Couples, Craig Stadler, Tom Watson, Zach Johnson, Ian Woosnam, Raymond Floyd, Gary Player, Bernhard Langer, Sandy Lyle and Fuzzy Zoeller; other U.S. players: Anthony Kim, Jim Furyk, Kenny Perry, Nick Watney, Steve Stricker, Rocco Mediate, Chad Campbell, Stewart Cink, Sean O’Hair, Brandt Snedeker, Boo Weekley and Justin Leonard. Other international stars include 17-year-old Japanese sensation Ryo Ishikawa, Greg Norman, Padraig Harrington, Camilo Villegas, Ernie Els, Rory McIlroy, Retief Goosen, Sergio Garcia, Paul Casey, K.J. Choi, Luke Donald, Aaron Baddeley, Justin Rose, Ryuji Imada, Jeev Milkha Singh, Geoff Ogilvy, Ian Poulter, Michael Campbell, Rory Sabbatini, Adam Scott, Tim Clark, Angel Cabrera, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Shingo Katayama, Danny Lee, Stuart Appleby, Robert Allenby and Lee Westwood. (*For the complete 2009 Masters Tournament invitees log onto masters.com)

CBS Sports’ coverage of the Masters will be produced
by Lance Barrow, coordinating producer of CBS golf, along with David Winner, and directed by Steve Milton and Bob Matina. Jim Rikhoff will serve as replay producer. Bob Mansbach will produce the late night highlight shows and Chris Svendsen will direct. Harold Bryant is Vice President, Production, CBS Sports.

For the seventh consecutive year, the standard analog and HDTV productions of the Mastersâ Tournament will be unified and provide 18-hole coverage in HDTV’s highest definition format, 1080i, and down-converted for CBS’s analog broadcast. This production technique also produces a better quality analog picture.

The 2000 Masters was the first golf tournament presented live in HDTV on network television. The 2003 Masters marked the first time that the standard and HDTV productions of the Tournament were unified.

Of course, ESPN has the first two rounds, CBS has third and final round coverage.