It's 3:10 p.m. Saturday, and the basement of Butler Cabin is humming with activity.
Jim Nantz is working the phone, looking for new information. Technicians are checking for last-minute bugs. And CBS-TV producer Bob Mansbach is trying to figure out whether Steve Pate, threatening to tie the course record, will come immediately to the studio for an interview or go to the press room.
Welcome to CBS' annual Masters Tournament telecast.
That scene likely will be repeated today as CBS televises the final round from 4 to 7 p.m. The activities in Butler Cabin will be a big part of the telecast, namely interviews with players and the traditional green jacket ceremony.
Nantz, whose first Masters broadcast came in 1986 when he was stationed at the 16th hole, is the central figure. As the broadcast time of 3:30 p.m. nears, Nantz is on the phone with Jim Merrins, who is in Palm Springs, Calif. Merrins, the head pro at Bel-Air Country Club, is the former coach of Pate and Scott McCarron at UCLA, and Nantz is looking for any useful information he can find about the two Masters contenders.
A little while later, Nantz takes a break before going through rehearsals to talk about why the Masters is his favorite week of the year.
``It's a place that exudes all kinds of history and tradition,'' he said of Butler Cabin. ``People walk in this room and get kind of starry-eyed.''
Nantz took over the Butler Cabin responsibilities in 1989, and he takes a great deal of pride in his research. He also covers the 18th hole with Ken Venturi.
``I'm always searching for information,'' he said.
Butler Cabin may be one of the more unique items in a broadcast filled with special touches. Built in 1964, it is located between the main clubhouse and Par-3 Course. The basement, which faces the Par-3 Course, was first used as a television studio in 1965. The network's relationship with Augusta National began in 1956.
Butler Cabin is one of 10 cabins on the Augusta National grounds, providing lodging for members and their guests. The Butler, Eisenhower and Roberts cabins stand alone, while the other seven form a semicircle to the left of the 10th fairway.
This morning, according to producer Mansbach, Augusta National Vice Chairman Joe Ford will come in for a run-through of the green jacket presentation. Then later in the day, defending champion Mark O'Meara will present the jacket given to the tournament winner. In the event O'Meara wins, the responsibility would fall to 1997 winner Tiger Woods.
The made-for-TV green jacket ceremony is followed by the official donning of the jacket on the putting green before the members, golf officials and fans.
Working closely with Nantz is Bill Macatee, in his 10th year of covering the Masters, for both the USA Network and CBS.
``I can't think of a better place to be on the weekend,'' Macatee said. ``If you would have told me when I was a kid that I would be watching the Masters with Jack Nicklaus (like he did last year), well, I would have a good life, and a lucky one at that.''
Nantz's favorite Masters memory is 1992, when former University of Houston roommate and close friend Fred Couples won the tournament.
``That was something we had rehearsed many times in college,'' Nantz said.
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