Augusta, GA
Verne Lundquist announces the 2024 Masters will be his last behind the microphone on CBS
Verne Lundquist called his final college football game at the 2016 SEC Championship, but the legendary broadcaster couldn’t give up one of his favorite plum jobs, coming out of retirement once a year to partake in the Masters.
Lundquist, now 83, hinted in previous years that he might stop his annual trek to Augusta National after his 40th year of broadcasting the event, and on Wednesday he made it official — the 2024 Masters will be his last behind the microphone.
Lundquist, whose famous calls at the Masters include Jack Nicklaus’ birdie putt on 17 – “Yes, Sir!” – in 1986 that gave him the lead and Tiger Woods’ dramatic chip-in birdie on the 16th hole – “In your life!”– in 2005, admittedly doesn’t get around like he used to. The national broadcaster has a home in picturesque Steamboat Springs, Colorado, while he and his wife, Nancy, purchased a small condo in Austin, where he attended high school and started his illustrious career.
During a podcast done in 2022 with the Ringer, Lundquist said he had a plan in place for the finale after talking with CBS Sports executives.
“Sean (McManus, CBS Sports Chairman) and I had a recent talk about my work at Augusta,” Lundquist said at the time. “But in all likelihood, number 40 will likely be my last. Just because it will be time. I think that’s the plan.”
Lundquist’s call as the Dallas Cowboys radio voice of Jackie Smith’s drop in Super Bowl XIII remains one of his most recognizable. And he was the voice of SEC football on CBS as well as a yearly contributor during the NCAA Tournament for decades. He has made occasional cameos outside of golf in recent years, like one before Georgia and Alabama kicked off in the 2023 SEC championship game.
More: Augusta Regional Airport accepting more Delta flights for flood of Masters Week visitors
But when it comes to golf, little tops Lundquist’s call of Nicklaus’ putt at the 17th hole of the final round of the 1986 Masters. We all know the call – “Maybe … Yes, sir!” – that would mark Nicklaus’ final push in a stunning Masters win at the age of 46.
Of course, Lundquist was also the TV announcer for the golf classic “Happy Gilmore,” the Adam Sandler movie about a failed hockey player who takes his talents to the golf course in order to save his grandmother’s house. The comedy has undeniably become a part of golf’s culture.
The Masters will be held at Augusta National Golf Club from April 11-14.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – As a heat wave settles over Augusta, the Psi Omega Foundation is working with Richmond County Marshal’s Office to deliver fans as a part of their annual fan drive.
Eugene White, president of the Psi Omega Foundation, said his personal connection to the community drives the effort.
“I’m the son of someone. I’m the grandson of someone,” White said. “And so when we think about our elders who may have struggled, that really drives home our desire to build a tenacious community.”
Fans available, no questions asked
White spent the day delivering fans across Augusta. Around 140 fans were available for donation.
Lt. Monica Meyers of the Richmond County Marshal’s Office said this year’s conditions have been more severe than previous summers.
“This year I noticed that the humidity has been higher, the heat index has been higher,” Meyers said. “And with that said, we know that research shows us that the elderly and seniors are less likely to run their AC during the summer months because they’re trying to save their budgets, because they are on fixed budgets and low income.”
Doctors say anyone can be at risk for heat-related illness when the heat index reaches the 90s or above.
How to get a fan
The Marshal’s Office said fans are available to anyone, no questions asked. Meyers said residents can call the Richmond County Marshal’s Office at 706-821-2368 or visit the substation at 3050 Deans Bridge Road in Augusta.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Emergency Management Agency will open a cooling center on Friday as temperatures continue to climb.
According to officials, the National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for the city.
The city will open the May Park Community Center on Friday from 12-7 p.m.
Officials say residents may use Augusta Transit’s normal routes during operating hours to access the cooling center.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – John Ryan, the coordinator for the Office of Critical Event Preparedness & Response at Augusta University, was awarded the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Director’s Community Leadership Award on Thursday, July 2, 2026.
Ryan was recognized for his work with the #StrongAugusta initiative. It started six years ago as a way to train law enforcement agencies how to respond to active shooter situations.
“What we’re doing as for as fostering a community safety initiative which is really at the highest level of what “Strong Augusta” is, is a community safety effort and what it means is it’s not falling on deaf ears,” Ryan said.
The FBI said the award recognizes people who go above and beyond to support the community to encourage safety.
“It highlights people in the community that go above and beyond to support their community in a leadership role to try to enhance education, crime prevention, social justice,” said Brian A. Osden, an assistant special agent in charge at the FBI’s Atlanta division.
Photojournalist credit: Gary Hipps
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