Journalism Award

Jim Nantz

Long recognized as one of the most esteemed voices and storytellers in sports broadcasting history and easily among the greats in golf television, Jim Nantz knew from a young age what he wanted for his life’s pursuit, and for decades he has been fulfilling that dream.

“How many people really get to grow up and do exactly what they wanted in life?” said Nantz, who at age 11 set his heart on pursuing a career in broadcasting.

A native of Charlotte, N.C., Nantz grew up in Colts Neck, N.J., where his interest in sports television was cultivated along with a love of golf. He was influenced in the former by the likes of iconic voices such as Jim McKay, Jack Whitaker and Pat Summerall. His golfing heroes included, most notably, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer.

Nantz studied communications at the University of Houston, where he played on the golf team and roomed with future PGA TOUR players Fred Couples and Blaine McCallister.

Nantz joined CBS Sports in 1985 and immediately became a member of the network's golf team, making his Master's debut in 1986. He succeeded Summerall as anchor in 1994 and has worked alongside World Golf Hall of Fame members Ken Venturi, Lanny Wadkins, and Sir Nick Faldo. In addition to golf, Nantz has called numerous Super Bowls and Final Fours. He was the youngest broadcaster ever to be inducted into both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

In 2018, Nantz received the Ambassador of Golf Award presented annually at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio, to a person who “has fostered the ideals of golf on an international level and whose concern for others extends beyond the golf course.”

A father of three, Nantz and his wife, Courtney live in Pebble Beach, California.