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stories to share with any audience, great or small— he has the most pleasant delivery with that comfortable voice which falls peacefully on every ear.

He is about as well connected in the sports world as an announcer could be, but he has time for the little guy. When people stop him for a photo op, he does not get irritated. There is no frustration.

Following his retirement as the SEC play by play announcer, Verne chose not to come around for a couple of years. He did not want to intrude on the broadcast and especially his successor, Brad Nessler. However, he felt comfortable taking in the 2019 Georgia-Florida game in Jacksonville, staying with Georgia friends Vernon and Patricia Brinson at Ponte Vedra.

He enjoyed the drive down Georgia highway 15 with a book signing in Vidalia with the publisher of the Vidalia Advance, William Ledford. It seemed that half the town showed up to buy Verne’s book.

On game day, he went by the CBS truck to say hello to the technicians, the everyday workers and staff. You could see they were all overwhelmed that he would look them up and recall the good times they enjoyed covering Southeastern Conference football. With friends throughout the conference, he is welcomed on any campus. If you recall, he is best remembered for his award winning commentary when Jack Nicklaus made a birdie putt at hole NO. 17 in 1986 as Jack won his sixth Masters. When the ball dived into the cup, Verne sounded forth with that legendary sobriquet, “Yessir.” Thewholeworld saw that the putt ended with a birdie putt. No need to state the obvious, but announcers need to say something. Verne always knew what to say. Wherever he goes, especially in these parts, he is often greeted with a repeat of his legendary call at Augusta, “Yessir.”

Verne Lundquist has walked with kings in his bountiful career, segueing from royalty to the ordinary. That can only be when the progenitor is one with a good heart.