We are devastated to report that Cody “Beef” Franke, a beloved golf professional and content creator for Barstool Sports, has died. He was just 31 years old. The shocking news of his passing was confirmed by his employer and colleagues on Monday, October 27, 2025, sending waves of grief through the tight-knit golf community and his legion of fans. Franke was celebrated not only for his deep knowledge of the game but also for his incredibly kind and genuine nature, a man who made everyone feel welcome. His death serves as a sudden and heartbreaking reminder of life’s fragile nature.
Franke passed away over the weekend after what Barstool Sports officially described only as a “sudden medical issue.” He was in the Dominican Republic at the time, attending a wedding when the medical emergency occurred. Beyond this initial information, no further details about the specific cause of his death have been made public by authorities or his family. The focus, for now, remains on mourning a life that was tragically cut short and celebrating the profound impact he had in his relatively short time.
A Life Dedicated to the Game of Golf
Long before he became a popular media figure, Cody Franke was a dedicated student and professional of golf. He honed his craft in the PGA of America, spending nearly a decade as a certified PGA Golf Professional. His journey in the sport saw him serve as the head pro at Thornberry Creek in Wisconsin, where he first began creating the viral golf tip videos that would eventually catch the eye of Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy. When the offer from the media company arrived, Franke himself admitted he initially thought Portnoy’s email was fake. He officially joined the Barstool team in March 2024, taking on the role of lead golf pro for the popular Fore Play podcast.
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At Barstool, “Beef” quickly became a fan favorite, bridging the gap between serious golf instruction and accessible, entertaining content. He was known for his simple, effective teaching style aimed at helping the everyday golfer enjoy the game more. But his professional skill was only half the story; what truly endeared him to colleagues and followers was his unmistakable class and warmth.
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. pic.twitter.com/KPua67hCJW
— Fore Play (@ForePlayPod) October 27, 2025
He was famously polite, with a habit of respectfully removing his hat for every handshake—a gesture that became a signature symbol of his character. His colleague Frankie Borrelli once noted, “If Beef meets 1000 people, he’s taking his hat off 1000 times. I’ve never seen anything like it. He took his hat off to say goodnight at the Airbnb the other day. The epitome of class.”
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A Community United in Grief and Memory
The outpouring of grief from the sports and content creation world has been immediate and profound, underscoring how many lives Franke touched. Dave Portnoy led the tributes, writing on X, “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.” Dan “Big Cat” Katz, another Barstool host, shared his devastation on a podcast, simply stating, “It’s pretty s****y. Really, really, really sad. Really tragic. It’s devastating. I don’t know what else to say.”
The sentiment was echoed across the golf community. Prominent golf influencer Paige Spiranac called the news “heartbreaking,” adding that “He was such a kind and good person.” The official PGA Tour Instagram account also paid its respects, commenting that Franke was “an incredible member of the golf community.” In its own heartfelt statement, Barstool Sports remembered Franke’s selfless passion, noting that “Cody truly loved the game of golf. He selflessly spent much of his life helping others improve and enjoy the game… He was universally known as the nicest guy in the world.”
As a final, fitting tribute, the company ended its announcement with a promise that resonates with anyone who knew him: “We’ll all be removing our hats for Cody today and everyday. Rest in peace to the classiest man we knew.” While the exact circumstances of his passing remain private, the memory of Cody “Beef” Franke as an exceptionally kind and passionate golf professional is crystal clear.
