Cody “Beef” Franke, a popular Barstool Sports golf influencer known for his humour, authenticity, and love for the game, has died at the age of 31 following a “sudden medical issue,” according to a statement from Barstool’s ForePlay team. “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 team shared on X (formerly Twitter). Franke had joined Barstool Sports in January 2025, quickly becoming a fan favourite for his easygoing personality and relatable golf tips. According to TMZ Sports, Franke was attending a wedding in the Dominican Republic when he fell ill. Details surrounding the medical emergency remain unclear, and an official cause of death has not yet been released. From Teaching Pro to Barstool Star Before joining Barstool, Franke served as the head professional at Thornberry Creek Country Club in Oneida, Wisconsin, where his engaging golf training videos drew attention from across the golf community. His viral swing tutorials caught the eye of Barstool founder Dave Portnoy, who brought him onto the network’s ForePlay team — alongside Sam “Riggs” Bozoian, Frank Borrelli, and Trent Ryan. “Barstool lost a member of our family this weekend. Just tragic news,” Portnoy wrote 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.” Franke’s warmth, humility, and old-school sportsmanship resonated with fans. In a PGA.com interview last year, he described golf as “home” — a sanctuary that allowed him to share his passion with others. Tributes Pour In from Fans and Teammates Fellow ForePlay host Riggs reposted a viral clip of Franke from February, showing him taking off his hat before shaking hands — a small gesture that fans loved. “Still one of my favourite videos of all time. Beef was all class,” Riggs wrote. Barstool fans and golf enthusiasts have flooded social media with tributes, remembering Franke as a “rare soul” who made the sport feel inclusive and joyful. As of Tuesday, no memorial details have been announced, but the Barstool community plans to honour Franke’s legacy with a dedicated segment on ForePlay’s next broadcast. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from US News and around the World.
Who Was Cody ‘Beef’ Franke? Barstool Golf Influencer Dead At 31 After Sudden Medical Issue
Cody “Beef” Franke, a popular Barstool Sports golf influencer known for his humour, authenticity, and love for the game, has died at the age of 31 following a “sudden medical issue,” according to a statement from Barstool’s ForePlay team. “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 team shared on X (formerly Twitter). Franke had joined Barstool Sports in January 2025, quickly becoming a fan favourite for his easygoing personality and relatable golf tips. According to TMZ Sports, Franke was attending a wedding in the Dominican Republic when he fell ill. Details surrounding the medical emergency remain unclear, and an official cause of death has not yet been released. From Teaching Pro to Barstool Star Before joining Barstool, Franke served as the head professional at Thornberry Creek Country Club in Oneida, Wisconsin, where his engaging golf training videos drew attention from across the golf community. His viral swing tutorials caught the eye of Barstool founder Dave Portnoy, who brought him onto the network’s ForePlay team — alongside Sam “Riggs” Bozoian, Frank Borrelli, and Trent Ryan. “Barstool lost a member of our family this weekend. Just tragic news,” Portnoy wrote 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.” Franke’s warmth, humility, and old-school sportsmanship resonated with fans. In a PGA.com interview last year, he described golf as “home” — a sanctuary that allowed him to share his passion with others. Tributes Pour In from Fans and Teammates Fellow ForePlay host Riggs reposted a viral clip of Franke from February, showing him taking off his hat before shaking hands — a small gesture that fans loved. “Still one of my favourite videos of all time. Beef was all class,” Riggs wrote. Barstool fans and golf enthusiasts have flooded social media with tributes, remembering Franke as a “rare soul” who made the sport feel inclusive and joyful. As of Tuesday, no memorial details have been announced, but the Barstool community plans to honour Franke’s legacy with a dedicated segment on ForePlay’s next broadcast. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from US News and around the World.
