TV pioneer Chirkinian inducted into World Golf Hall of Fame

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Courtesy CBS

In this undated photo, Frank Chirkinian (far left) oversees Masters coverage at Augusta National.

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif., -- The World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum is pleased to announce that longtime CBS television executive Frank Chirkinian has been selected for Induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame. Chirkinian was selected via the Hall's Lifetime Achievement category.

He will be enshrined on Monday, May 9, at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla., along with Ernie Els, Doug Ford, the late Jock Hutchison, Jumbo Ozaki and former President George H.W. Bush.

The announcement was made by PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem and World Golf Hall of Fame Chief Operating Officer Jack Peter at the annual PGA TOUR-CBS Sports Reception at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am on Wednesday, Feb. 9.

"Frank has had a tremendous influence on the game," Finchem said. "The convergence of television, Arnold Palmer and The Masters in the late 1950s and early '60s sparked growth across every golf metric. Frank's vision for presenting the game on television made a huge impact on that trajectory. His contributions make him most deserving of this honor."

Chirkinian is known throughout golf and broadcasting circles as the father of golf on television. From 1959-1996, Chirkinian was the executive producer for golf on CBS and led its Masters coverage. He collected four Emmy and two Peabody awards during his career.

"In his 38 years with CBS Sports, Frank Chirkinian's remarkable innovations and contributions have become the industry standard for the way we watch golf on television," said Sean McManus, President, CBS News and Sports. "Frank has left a legacy of excellence and creativity in golf broadcasting that will never be equaled and is a true Hall of Famer in all of sports television. On behalf of all us at CBS Sports, I congratulate Frank on this well-deserved honor."

"I am humbled and speechless by this announcement," Chirkinian said. "This is one of the most distinctive honors of my life and I am grateful to be enshrined with some of the legends I was lucky enough to work with over the years."

He is responsible for myriad innovations, including installing a camera on a blimp and audio enhancements such as adding microphones to tee boxes.

"It's an honor to welcome Frank into the Class of 2011," Peter said. "Part of our mission is to tell the story of golf, and for a generation, he worked tirelessly to bring that story to millions through television. We look forward to welcoming Frank to the Hall of Fame family."

For information about the World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum and the 2011 Induction Ceremony, visit www.WorldGolfHallofFame.org.