Emmy-Award winning CBS Sports commentator Jim Nantz was made an Honorary Thunderbird at a special induction ceremony held at Camelback Inn prior to the Waste Management Phoenix Open Presented by The Ak-Chin Indian Community Tee-Off Luncheon.
Nantz joins a select group of 34 other individuals who have been named Honorary Thunderbirds in the organization’s history, including Sandra Day O’Connor last year, as well as legends such as Bing Crosby, Ben Hogan, Bob Hope, Phil Mickelson, Johnny Miller, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer.
“Jim Nantz is a true legend in golf broadcasting and is a great friend of the Waste Management Phoenix Open and The Thunderbirds,” said Thunderbirds Big Chief Danny Calihan. “We are honored to have Jim become a part of our organization and excited to include him with a great group of honorary Thunderbirds.”
Nantz, who is considered one of the premier broadcasters in sports, claimed back-to-back Emmy Awards for outstanding play-by-play personality in 2008 and 2009. His career highlights include anchoring CBS’ coverage of the Masters since 1989, calling the NCAA Final Four Men’s Basketball Finals since 1991, serving as the lead play-by-play for the NFL on CBS since 2004, and being a part of five Super Bowl broadcasts. He also has covered more than 20 Phoenix Open telecasts on CBS sports throughout his career.
“This is truly one of the greatest honors of my career and my life to be a member of a group like this that is so passionate, so giving and so caring and gives back so much to the game and this community,” Nantz said during the Tee-Off Luncheon.
The 2016 Waste Management Phoenix Open, known as “The Greatest and Greenest Show on Grass,” will be held at TPC Scottsdale from February 1-7, 2016. The Waste Management Phoenix Open is the best-attended golf tournament in the world and has gained legendary status for being the most unique stop on the PGA TOUR. The 2016 edition will mark the 81st playing of the event (one of the five oldest events on the PGA TOUR) and the seventh as the Waste Management Phoenix Open.
