Barstool Sports personality and golfing influencer Cody “Beef” Franke has died at age 31 due to a “sudden health issue,” the sports media company announced.
On Monday, October 27th, the X account for Barstool Sports' “Fore Play” podcast about all things golf posted tribute to Franka confirming his death. The account posted a black-and-white photo of Franke and wrote, “We are incredibly devastated to announce that our good friend and beloved Barstool Sports colleague Cody “Beef” Franke passed away over the weekend from a sudden health issue.”
Franke, who spent nearly a decade as a PGA of America golf professional, has appeared frequently on “Fore Play” since becoming the podcast's featured golf professional last year.
IN follow up postThe Fore Play team praised their late colleague, writing in a statement: “Cody truly loved the game of golf. He selflessly spent much of his life helping others improve and enjoy the game. Watching golf bring people happiness brought him happiness, and his infectious personality was felt by everyone who met him. He was widely known as the nicest guy in world.”
The statement also noted that Franke enjoyed making people smile through her work as a PGA Professional and an employee of Barstool Sports. The Fore Play team expressed condolences to Franke's family and loved ones.
At the end of the tribute, the team said, “We'll take our hats off to Cody today and every day. Rest in peace to the coolest man we've ever known.”
Franke often shared golf tips videos on social media, which helped him gain thousands of followers. Account “Prelude” loaded clip for X in February it showed Franke meeting some of his fans in person. He took off his cap every time he interacted with a new fan and shook their hand.
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy mourned Franke's death. statement divided by X.
“Barstool lost a member of our family this weekend. Just tragic news. You will never find a nicer, more genuine person than Beef,” Portnoy said.
He continued: “It's hard to even process this right now. Just another brutal reminder that tomorrow is never promised and that you need to live each day to the fullest. #Ripbeef.”
In March PGA of America interviewed the professional golf teacher about his journey to becoming a social media star and a Barstool Sports staple.
“Golf has always been home to me… it's something I can do. If you go to the golf course, it doesn't really feel like work – I'm just in a place where I really enjoy being. I'm home,” Franke told the publication. “That’s what it’s always been about for me.”
Under the Instagram post “Prelude” PGA Tour praises Frankecalling him “an incredible member of the golf community.”
