Cody Franke, a golf influencer known as Beef who was a host of a golf podcast produced by the popular sports and pop culture site Barstool Sports, died over the weekend in the Dominican Republic. He was 31.
Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports, confirmed Mr. Franke’s death in a statement on the company’s website on Monday. He said that Mr. Franke died from a “sudden medical issue,” but did not provide more information.
Dan “Big Cat” Katz, one of Barstool’s hosts and personalities, said on Monday that Mr. Franke was at a wedding when the medical episode took place.
Mr. Franke was born on May 23, 1994, and leaned into an Everyman persona as he offered clear and easy-to-understand golf tips. He described himself on his Instagram profile as a “common instructor for the common golfer.”
He was a PGA golf professional who gave lessons at a golf course in Palm Desert, Calif., and became known for his online tips. Then, earlier this year, he became one of the hosts of “Fore Play,” a golf podcast on Barstool Sports.
He used his position to share his expertise on the game and help others improve.
In an interview with wisconsin.golf in January about joining Barstool as a contributor, Mr. Franke said, “I’m excited to make some content and grow the game of golf and get people to shoot better scores.”
In his last video on Instagram, which was posted last week, Mr. Franke shared swinging tips and wrote: “Not every pin location is a green light! Know when to attack and when to put on the brakes.”
“Golf has always been home for me,” he told PGA.com in March. “If you go to the golf course, it doesn’t really feel like work-work — I’m just at a place I’m really happy to be around.”
Mr. Franke’s sudden death, Mr. Portnoy wrote online, was “just another cruel reminder that tomorrow is never promised.”
Kirsten Noyes contributed research.
Johnny Diaz is a reporter for The Times covering breaking news from Miami.
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