Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Today’s sad news comes from the golf world.
The gentleman who was the long-time starter on the first tee of the British Open (more properly called “The Open”) to briefly introduce each golfer has passed away today at age of 83.
I never knew Ivor Robson’s name before this morning.
However, I will never forget his unique player introductions at the first tee. If you watched any telecast of The Open beginning in 1973 through 2015, you briefly heard this unmistakably pleasant voice introducing a golfer preparing to play his first shot of the day to the fans surrounding Hole #1.
In a world where some people (including yours truly) tend to say too much, Ivor Robson and his unique Scottish accent made me smile every time I heard him at this annual golf major. I would gleefully ask my wife to listen as he announced the next person coming up.
“On the tee…from the United States…Tiger Woods!”
He never said anything wordy like, “On the tee…winner of 15 major championships…including last week’s John Deere Classic…by an amazing eight shots…let’s welcome back to St. Andrews…Three-time Open Champion…Tiger Woods!”
Ivor Robson announced every single golfer exactly the same way for 43 years.
It didn’t matter whether the name was Jack Nicklaus or Jack Squat. Whether you were the greatest golfer in history or a nervous first timer, this affable gentleman would calmly announce your name to the crowd assembled around the first tee in the same unique style.
This man’s voice wasn’t a booming deep baritone which sounded like The Almighty himself.
In my opinion, his voice sounded a bit like comedian John Cleese of Monty Python fame.
Robson’s calm and distinctive voice would rise in pitch as he said the player’s name.
“On the tee…from South Africa…Ernie Els!”
The golfers really loved this man, too. They got a kick by attempting to do their personal imitation of Ivor Robson’s vocal introduction at the first tee.
From 1973 through 2015, Robson’s voice was unique to this one particular golf major.
Like the Open itself, he traveled to a different golf venue each year to be the official starter on the first tee. From Scotland’s Muirfield, Royal Troon, Carnoustie, and Turnberry to England’s “Royal” courses such as St. George’s, Liverpool, and Birkdale and others, Ivor Robson was always a constant. His sunny smile and brief player introduction at the first tee delighted thousands of the assembled patrons and millions of us watching from home.
“Breakfast at the Open” became required television viewing every summer for true golf fans. Since there is a six-hour time difference between the Central Time zone (where I live) and The Open, live television coverage in the US does not begin until daybreak in mid-July.
Hearing Ivor Robson’s brief player introduction on the first tee was as important as having your TV tray with your preferred breakfast food and beverage ready to go as you settled in from the comfort of your living room couch.
“On the tee…from Northern Ireland…Rory McIlroy!”
Traditions are quite important to golfers.
For example, the Masters tournament features a few of golf’s greatest players to hit a ceremonial first tee ball to begin Thursday’s opening round. At the Orlando-based Bay Hill Country Club, Arnold Palmer would sit in his own chair alongside the 18th green at his golf tournament to shake hands with each player as they exited the golf course.
These unique courtesies have helped build goodwill with golf fans and the players, too.
At The Open, Ivor Robson’s friendly welcome at the first tee and player introduction to the crowd brought a smile to all and helped to relax the nervous golfers prior to their opening shot.
“On the tee…from England…Lee Westwood!”
I can still visualize the grin on the face of most golfers as they wave to the crowd and tee-up their golf ball on the first hole.
Over his career, Ivor Robson announced nearly 19,000 golfers at the first tee of The Open Championship. Despite the cushy job of a starter, he was on his feet for a long time each day.
The trickiest part of this job was to make to be prepared for the next group arriving every ten minutes from the crack of dawn through mid-afternoon. More than 140 golfers per day would require Ivor Robson’s services on each of the first two days of this major championship.
“You have to be careful drinking water or eating, if you stand on the tee that long,” he said. “Luckily at St. Andrews the clubhouse is just behind the first tee if you really need to go to the toilet. I don’t have big dinners, or go to the bar in the evening. You can’t. It’s too demanding a job. You wouldn’t last long if you did.”
Ivor Robson was unique to men’s professional golf and The Open in particular.
I was thinking about a few other unique sports voices will forever be linked with their time covering televised sports. Here are a few other memorable voices:
John Facenda – NFL Films
You have heard the deep voice of this man on the NFL’s documentaries about important football games from bygone years. The phrase “The frozen tundra of Lambeau Field” was one of his most memorable lines. A former news anchor in Philadelphia, John Facenda was the primary voiceover man for NFL Films for nearly 20 years. He was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2021 for his legendary audio work. Nicknamed by NFL fans as “The Voice of God”, John Facenda died in 1984 at age 71.
Verne Lundquist – CBS Sports
In 1986, a 46-year old Jack Nicklaus rolled in a 15-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole which provided a one-stroke margin of victory in The Masters. Lundquist’s famous “Yes, Sir!” call as the golf ball dropped into the cup is replayed every year and still evokes a joyful memory. In addition to golf, the understated (as announcers go) Verne Lundquist was the primary play-by-play voice for the CBS Saturday afternoon SEC football games for more than two decades. His enthusiasm on the air made even the most boring games fun to watch. Now 83 years of age, Lundquist has retired but still returns to the 17th green at Augusta National every April as part of the CBS broadcast team.
Vin Scully – NBC Sports
Many in the sports world shed a tear in 2022 upon learning of the passing of 94-year old baseball broadcasting legend, Vin Scully. For 67 years (yes, that’s correct), he was the play-by-play voice of the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers. In addition, the versatile Vin Scully worked for CBS and NBC covering Major League Baseball, NFL football, and PGA Golf tournaments. Scully is best known for his easy going on-air style. He could deftly weave interesting stories into the broadcast to make it feel like he was having a personal conversation with each viewer. He was one of a kind. Vin Scully received the Presidential Medal of Freedom award in 2016.
Howard Cosell – ABC Sports
Who can forget “How-ard Co-sell”? If you’ve heard the boxing phase “Down goes Frazier!” Cosell’s long-time coverage of Mohammed Ali’s boxing career made both of them household names in the 1960’s. This nasal and frequently bombastic New Yorker sportswriter-turned-broadcaster became part of the original trio covering ABC’s Monday Night Football (along with Frank Gifford and Don Meredith) in the 1970’s. Self-nicknamed “Humble Howard”, his unique voice, style, and opinions vaulted him into a national celebrity. He died in 1995 at age 77.
Dick Vitale – ESPN Basketball
A former college and NBA coach, “Dickie V” was hired at ESPN during the network’s infancy to cover college basketball. He quickly became one of the most recognized voices in American sports. His genuine enthusiasm for college basketball transformed him into an icon on college campuses whenever ESPN comes to town. Phrases like “This is awesome, baby!” and “Better get a big T.O., Coach!” are uniquely his. In recent years, the lovable Dick Vitale (now 84) has dealt with some serious health issues. First, it was lymphoma. More recently, he developed a type of vocal-chord cancer. This week, Dickie V. spoke (literally) for the first time in seven months as his vocal chords have slowly healed. He wants to return to ESPN’s college basketball broadcasts beginning in late November. Take your time, Coach! We’ll leave the microphone on for you!
Those are a few of the unique voices which have enhanced my enjoyment of televised sports events over the years.
Rest in peace, Ivor Robson. You are already missed by millions of golf fans. Thanks for the memories!