ESPN International To Televise The Masters Golf Tournament 2007

Live Coverage in Latin America, Northern Africa and the Middle East, April 5-8
ESPNdeportes.com to Provide Additional Coverage

ESPN International will televise LIVE all four rounds of the Masters Golf Tournament 2007 at the Augusta National Golf Club, one of golf’s premier grand slam events, from April 5 to 8.  ESPN International’s coverage will be available on its pan-regional network in Latin America, and on Orbit-ESPN in Northern Africa and the Middle East (excluding Israel).

“Since 1994, ESPN International has televised The Masters,” said Tim Bunnell, senior vice president of programming and marketing, ESPN International.   “We are excited to continue to bring all the tradition and prestige of the Masters to ESPN’s international viewers. 

Masters defending champion Phil Mickelson headlines a prestigious field of the world’s top golfers who will compete in the 2007 Masters Tournament.  Argentina’s Angel Cabrera will be returning to the Masters, and Colombia native Camilo Villegas is scheduled to make his first appearance at the event.

ESPN’s telecast for the Latin American region will feature 14-year veteran of the LPGA Tour Silvia Bertolaccini on the play-by-play and Francisco Alemán on the analysis, along with John Sutcliffe as course reporter.  A special SportsCenter Especial de Masters anchored by Luís Alfredo Álvarez will be aired in Latin America every day following the last match of the day.       

Espndeportes.com, the leading Spanish-language sports web site in Latin American and the United States, will include golf columns leading up to the first round of play and will post reports daily.  The site will feature video on ESPN Motion, real-time scores and an “Ask ESPN” section where users can pose questions to ESPN talent, which may be answered on air. Additionally, ESPN commentator Francisco Alemán will keep a daily blog from Augusta.  

ESPN International’s live telecast schedule of the Masters is April 5 and 6 from 4:30 to 7 p.m., April 7 from 3:30 to 7 p.m., and April 8 from 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. (all times Eastern).  ESPN’s telecast in Latin America will be aired in Spanish and Portuguese.

ESPN’S SPANISH-LANGUAGE COMMENTATOR LINE-UP

Silvia Bertolaccini

Silvia Susana Bertolaccini has been instrumental in the growth of golf coverage on ESPN, establishing herself as one of the most respected golf experts on the network.  A 14-year veteran of the LPGA Tour, where she notched four career victories, Bertolaccini serves as play-by-play commentator for ESPN’s Spanish-language golf telecasts, covering major tournaments from the PGA, Senior PGA and LPGA Tours and USGA events.  In addition to her success on the LPGA tour, Bertolaccini, a native of Rafaela, Argentina, won the Argentine Amateur Championship in 1972, the Colombian Amateur Championship in 1977, and represented Argentina twice in the World Cup and eight times in South America’s Copa Los Andes.

Francisco Alemán

Francisco Alemán serves as a golf analyst for ESPN’s Spanish-language golf telecasts, covering events such as the majors, World Golf Championships, and USGA Championships.  During his career as an amateur golfer, Alemán helped Argentina’s National Golf Team take home five victories at the South American Golf Championship (1985, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, and 1998).  Prior to joining ESPN, Alemán served as a golf reporter for a radio station in Argentina.  

John Sutcliffe

Since joining ESPN in August 2000, Sutcliffe has distinguished himself as one of the most versatile sportscasters, serving as sideline reporter and golf commentator for ESPN International, covering all four of the Majors: the Masters, U.S. Open, British Open and PGA Championship.  He also serves as ESPN’s sideline reporter for the NFL Monday Night Football.

Luís Alfredo Álvarez

Luís Alfredo Álvarez is well-known to baseball fans as he serves as play-by-play commentator for ESPN’s telecasts of Major League Baseball and hosts Béisbol Esta Noche, ESPN’s Spanish-language weekly news and information show covering the world of Major League Baseball. Additionally, Álvarez hosts Cronómetro, ESPN’s Spanish-language sports news, information, and debate program devoted to the discussion of headline issues surrounding Latino sports stars.

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