Rosaforte: Chirkinian able to savor Hall nod | Golf News and Tour Information [Video]

NORTH PALM BEACH, Fla. — Sitting in his recliner at his home in Florida, Frank Chirkinian was trying to stay up until 9:30 p.m. EDT Wednesday to take a call from Jim Nantz in Pebble Beach. The call, with PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem and other dignitaries assembled for the AT&T National Pro-Am, was to officially announce Chirkinian’s induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame on May 9.

Fighting cancer, the 84-year-old CBS producer said in typical Chirkinian fashion, “I’m a little ambivalent about that because this is a huge event to be inducted and I don’t want to make some flippant remarks like, ‘I’m glad you guys finally got me in. I’ve only got one ball left.’ “

Credit Finchem with taking the lead and Nantz for leading a lobby that put Chirkinian in the Hall while he had time to appreciate it. Already an Emmy and Peabody …