SAN DIEGO _ An unsuspecting foursome hacking away at one of the most pristine and iconic golf courses in the world catches a glimpse of someone cruising through Pebble Beach on a cart.
When they recognize the face that fronts the iconic voice, a player inevitably will wave or yell. Jim Nantz redirects toward them. They strike up a conversation. Then it happens.
"The next thing you know, he's calling their shots," said Tom Spencer, Nantz's editorial consultant who has helped dig up broadcast gems for nearly a quarter century. "Imagine it. You're a golf nut, having the voice of the Masters call your tee shot. People are blown away."
That's not ego. If Nantz owned an outsized and out of control sense of importance, he easily could smile, wave from a distance and keep motoring without tapping the brakes.
There's a genuine tug and instinct to connect _ with the stars, the fans, the random guy at the airport _ despite being one of the busiest on-camera forces in sports television. That Nantz is beginning an unprecedented broadcasting run with the AFC championship, Super Bowl, NCAA Tournament, Masters, PGA Championship and events including this week's Farmers Insurance Open, the Genesis Open, AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Big Ten basketball tournament and more jammed into 120 days, causes those in his orbit to marvel at the internal batteries.
How does Nantz make so many feel like he has all the time in the world when in reality, amid the professional tsunami of his blurred springs, it's wholly the opposite?
In addition to the growing television gymnastics, Nantz is launching a new golf apparel brand, operates a burgeoning wine business and continues to support the Nantz National Alzheimer Center in Houston that honors his late father, also named Jim. Nantz also bangs out a column for Golf Digest. Why? Because he's a yes guy, in spite of a withering schedule.
The unique wiring is why Nantz stayed the course to call the final two rounds of this week's Farmers, despite being sandwiched between the AFC championship and the grind of Super Bowl week. The last time CBS carried the Super Bowl, three years ago, he skipped the weather-tormented tournament Brand Snedeker conquered in 2016 on the day Nantz and wife, Courtney, welcomed their son Jameson.
It took the Super Bowl and the birth of a child for him to say no to San Diego.
"Jim Nantz is never too busy for anybody," said Lance Barrow, coordinating producer for golf at CBS who spent 40 or more weeks a year with Nantz when the pair covered the NFL. "It's amazing."
Spencer randomly met Nantz as the blossoming broadcaster climbed out of the tower on the 15th hole at the old L.A. Open in 1988. The freshman at USC began a conversation that continued, unrushed for 20 minutes. Three months later, Spencer attended a golf tournament with a college friend in Westchester, N.Y., and stumbled across Nantz again. As he prepared to say hello, Nantz blurted, "Tommy Spencer. How's school?"
Eventually, Nantz created a job for Spencer that continues to this day.
"I was just some random guy and he remembered that conversation in detail," Spencer said. "I've seen that hundreds and hundreds of times."
When CBS hosted a dinner at a Kansas City barbecue restaurant last week before the AFC championship, Spencer said Nantz ended the night by approaching a table full of Chiefs fans that led to 10 minutes of photos and conversation.
"I'm lucky," Nantz said.
Networks aren't in the business of investing millions in luck.
