The Masters on CBS; A Tradition Unlike Any Other

As Augusta National Country Club swirls in another controversy over allowing women to join, The Masters^® goes on as if nothing is going on in the outside world.

ESPN airs live first and second round coverage beginning today at 3 p.m.

CBS will air highlights of the weekday rounds tonight at 11:35 ET before the Late Show with David Letterman. Then CBS starts its coverage on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. and on Sunday, it’s full 18 hole coverage beginning at 2 p.m.

The usual suspects will be calling the golf at The Masters^®, Jim Nantz, Sir Nick Faldo, Uncle Verne Lundquist, Peter Oosterhuis, David Feherty, Bill Macatee, Ian Baker-Finch and Peter Kostis.

CBS also produces Masters Live online which will focus on Amen Corner, holes 15 & 16 and the Featured Group of the Day.

Here’s CBS’ press release which I never received and stole from its website.

WORLD’S BEST GOLFERS COMPETE FOR COVETED GREEN JACKET AT 2012 MASTERS^®

CBS SPORTS BROADCASTS MASTERS^® FOR 57th 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 57th consecutive year from the majestic setting of Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga. This year marks the 76th Masters Tournament, one of the most highly-anticipated sporting events of the year. Last year, South African Charl Schwartzel won his first Green Jacket with a record-setting birdie run on the final four holes. His birdie on the 18^th hole capped off one of the most thrilling conclusions in the history of the Tournament as Schwartzel overtook Rory McIlroy, the 54-hole leader, Jason Day, Adam Scott, Tiger Woods, Geoff Ogilvy and Luke Donald.

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 7 (3:30-7:00 PM, ET). Final-round 18-hole coverage is scheduled for Sunday, April 8 (2:00-7:00 PM, ET). Highlights of early-round play will be presented by CBS Sports on Thursday, April 5 and Friday, April 6 (11:35-11:50 PM, ET; both nights).

For the 27th consecutive year Jim Nantz will cover the Masters for CBS (his 25th year as host). He also handles coverage of the Highlight Shows, originating from Butler Cabin on the grounds of Augusta National. Three-time Masters champion Sir Nick Faldo joins Nantz in the 18^th hole tower as lead analyst. Peter Oosterhuis will describe the action at the 17^th hole; Verne Lundquist, the 16^th hole; David Feherty, the 15^th hole and Highlight Shows; Bill Macatee, the 14^th hole; Peter Kostis, the 13^th hole; and Ian Baker-Finch will tell the story at the 11^th and 12^thholes. Grant Boone and Matt Gogel call the live streaming video action for Amen Corner, along with Jerry Foltz and Billy Ray Brown for 15 & 16 and Andrew Catalon and Billy Kratzert for Featured Group and Jennifer Mills, Peter Oosterhuis and Kratzert call the action for Masters On The Range.

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. Schwartzel returns to Augusta to lead the tournament field of invitees, which is considered America’s most prestigious gathering of professional and amateur golfers. The 2012 tournament field of invitees expected to compete includes past Masters champions Woods, Phil Mickelson, Angel Cabrera, Vijay Singh, Mike Weir, Jose Maria Olazabal, Mark O’Meara, Trevor Immelman, Larry Mize, Ben Crenshaw, Fred Couples, Craig Stadler, Tom Watson, Zach Johnson, Bernhard Langer, Ian Woosnam and Sandy Lyle. Other U.S. players include Keegan Bradley, Rickie Fowler, Bubba Watson, Jim Furyk, Steve Stricker, Stewart Cink, Sean O’Hair, Nick Watney, Hunter Mahan and Matt Kuchar. Other international stars include Donald, McIlroy, Scott, Day, Ogilvy, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Ryo Ishikawa, Graeme McDowell, Louis Oosthuizen, Padraig Harrington, Martin Laird, Justin Rose, Sergio Garcia, Tim Clark, Martin Kaymer, Paul Casey, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Aaron Baddeley, Y.E. Yang and Darren Clarke. (*For the complete 2012 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 Executive Producer and Vice President, Production, CBS Sports.

Sean McManus is Chairman, CBS Sports.