Frank Chirkinian (1926 - 2011)

Legendary television producer and fixture behind the scenes at the Masters in Augusta, GA passed away Friday after a long battle with lung cancer.  He was 84 at the time of his death. Chirkinian is to be honored -- posthumously -- as a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame this May along with Doug Ford, Ernie Els, Jumbo Ozaki, former President H.W. Bush, and Jock Hutchison.  Chirkinian was a long-time executive producer for CBS Sports from 1959 to 1996 and was a highly-respected professional in his craft.  As various news-sources have reported, Chirkinian is often thought of as the innovator behind aerial course views, microphones on tee-boxes, and other ideas that have since become commonplace in all professional Tour events.