Cody "Beef" Franke, the popular Barstool Sports personality who delivered golfing tips to the "common golfer" with a gentle voice and often a chuckle, died over the weekend after what the digital media company he worked for called a "sudden medical issue."
Franke was 31.
"Barstool lost a member of our family this weekend," company founder Dave Portnoy posted on X. "Just tragic news. You will never find a nicer more genuine person than Beef. It’s hard to even process it right now. Just another cruel reminder that tomorrow is never promised and to live each day to its fullest."
Portnoy did not provide a cause of death or any funeral arrangements.
Franke was a Chicago native who worked as a golf pro for almost a decade on courses in California and Wisconsin before he got an email out of the blue last year from Portnoy to become part of Barstool's “Fore Play” golf podcasts, according to the PGA.
Portnoy had seen golfing videos of Franke on his social media page and decided he deserved a bigger audience.
“I originally thought it was a fake email,” Franke told the PGA.
Franke said he briefly contemplated trying to juggle being a golf pro while working for Barstool before he opted to take the plunge in December.
“Being a PGA Member, you can’t really do something like this part time and work at a golf course," he told the PGA. "There’s just too much time being consumed. So, I made the decision to go full time.”
Franke said that after he joined the show, his Instagram following skyrocketed from 1,200 to over 30,000 followers and suddenly he was being recognized in airports and posing for selfies with famous pro golfers.
He said his goal was to make golf more fun and satisfying for the “common golfer.”
Polite to a fault, Franke became famous on the circuit for doffing his cap at meet-and-greets with fans and at other public appearances.
“Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with Cody’s entire family and loved ones," Barstool said in a statement. We’ll be removing our hats for Cody today and everyday. Rest in peace to the classiest man we knew.”
“We are beyond devastated to announce that our good friend and cherished Barstool Sports colleague, Cody ‘Beef’ Franke, passed away from a sudden medical issue over the weekend,” the statement said. “Cody truly loved the game of golf. He selflessly spent much of his life helping others improve and enjoy the game.”
