Barstool Sports personality and “Foreplay” contributor Cody “Beef” Franke died suddenly over the weekend, the company announced Oct. 27. He was 31.
Shortly after news of Franke’s death surfaced, golf influencers, creators and analysts reacted with shock and offered touching tributes to the former PGA professional.
Barstool Sports hired Franke in early 2025 as the newest member of the company’s golf brand “Fore Play.” As he noted in his Instagram bio, Franke served the role as “head golf professional” for the brand, which is wildly popular thanks to its podcast and YouTube content.
“Cody 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.”
He previously worked as the head pro at Berry Creek Country Club in Onida, Wisc., where he occasionally went viral for his teaching tips.