Barstool Sports personality and golf influencer Cody โBeefโ Franke has died at the age of 31 due to โa sudden medical issue,โ the sports media company announced.
On Monday, Oct. 27, the X account for โFore Play,โ the Barstool Sports podcast about all things golf, posted a tribute to Franke confirming his death. The account tweeted a black-and-white photo of Franke and wrote, โWe are beyond devastated to announce that our good friend and cherished Barstool Sports colleague, Cody โBeefโ Franke, passed away from a sudden medical issue over the weekend.โ
Franke, who worked for almost a decade as a PGA of America Golf Professional, frequently appeared on โFore Playโ after becoming the podcastโs head golf professional last year.
In a follow-up post, the โFore Playโ team praised their late colleague, writing in a statement, โCody 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 that infectious personality was felt by everyone who met him. He was universally known as the nicest guy in the world.โ
The statement also noted that Franke enjoyed making people smile through his work as a PGA professional and a Barstool Sports employee. The Fore Play team expressed condolences for Frankeโs family and loved ones.
At the end of the tribute, the team said, โWeโll be removing our hats for Cody today and everyday. Rest in peace to the classiest man we knew.โ
Franke often shared videos filled with golf tips on his social media, helping him gain thousands of followers. The โFore Playโ account uploaded a clip to X in February that showed Franke meeting some of his fans in person. He took off his cap each time he interacted with a new fan and shook their hand.
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy mourned Frankeโs death in a statement shared on X.
โBarstool lost a member of our family this weekend. Just tragic news. You will never find a nicer more genuine person than Beef,โ Portnoy said.
He continued, โItโs hard to even process it right now. Just another cruel reminder that tomorrow is never promised and to live each day to its fullest. #Ripbeef.โ
In March, the PGA of America interviewed the golf professional teacher about his journey to becoming a social media star and a Barstool Sports staple.
โGolf has always been home for me . . . itโs something I can go do. If you go to the golf course, it doesnโt really feel like work-work โ Iโm just at a place Iโm really happy to be around. Iโm home,โ Franke told the outlet. โThatโs what this has always been for me.โ
Beneath the โFore Playโ Instagram post, the PGA Tour complimented Franke, describing him as โan incredible member of the golf community.โ
