Nantz, Buckley Honored at Annual Meeting & Dinner (Includes Videos)
ELMSFORD, N.Y. (December 5, 2013) - Longtime CBS broadcaster Jim Nantz and standout Met Area amateur Max Buckley were among 
those honored at the Metropolitan Golf Association's 116th Annual Meeting and Dinner on Wednesday night at Westchester Country Club. Over 230 club representatives, committee members, champions and volunteers from around the Met Area attended the event, where Nantz was honored with the MGA Distinguished Service Award and Buckley received the Jerry Courville Sr. Player of the Year Award.
"Golf was a vital part of my life that opened up all kinds of avenues to me in my professional career,” said Nantz, who was introduced by MGA President and good friend Jeff Holzschuh, as well as longtime CBS colleague Lance Barrow. "The short of it is, Lance and I, and our CBS family, we're human bridges. We get to document all these fascinating stories of people in the world of sport, golf being the best story to tell."
RELATED: Watch Full Acceptance Speeches Below | Photos
Nantz recalled several entertaining stories from his career, including one of him teaming up with Tom Brady in a match against Presidents H. W. Bush (or "41" as he calls him) and Clinton. He was also adamant in recognizing one of his mentors, the late Ken Venturi, as one of the most important figures to Met Area golf over the past 50 years.
"I'm going to accept this award tonight in his honor," Nantz said. "I want you to know that if we can do it, I would love to put Ken's name on there with me. I was linked to him for 17 years and 10 years in retirement. And I want to be linked with him to the Met (Area), because he gave back to the Met, and whatever I have done is insignificant to what he's done."
Buckley, who claimed the MGA Player of the Year title in thrilling fashion, was quick to point out the many people who helped him achieve a goal he set out at the beginning of the season.
"Standing in front of you all to receive the Jerry Courville Sr. Player of the Year Award, and next to a man that has had such a lasting impact on the game as Jim Nantz, is something I couldn't have dreamed of happening," he said.
The 24-year-old Rye, N.Y., native also recognized that being a member of the victorious MGA Carey Cup team was a catalyst in getting his season started on the right foot.
"To share some of the experiences we shared, playing some of the best courses in Ireland...it was really something I'll never forget," he said. "We never won on Irish soil until this year, and to have it end the way it did was really special."
COMMITTEE UPDATES
During the meeting portion, MGA President Jeff Holzschuh was re-elected to a second term. additionally, several new faces were recognized for joining the MGA Executive Committee, including Patrick L. Donnelly of Garden City, Philip M. Halpern of Westchester, and Beth Z. Post of Quaker Ridge.
Below are videos from the evening:
