Sports fans, especially those in the Chicago-area golf community are reeling from the sudden loss of one of its rising stars. Cody "Beef" Franke, a Lake Villa native who had recently joined Barstool Sports' popular Fore Play Golf Podcast, passed away over the weekend from a sudden medical issue, according to The Spun.
Franke, who had only joined the Barstool team in late December 2024, quickly became a fan favorite for his approachable teaching style and infectious enthusiasm for the game. The announcement came Monday afternoon via the Fore Play Golf Podcast's social media accounts, sending shockwaves through both the local Illinois golf community and Barstool's massive national audience.
From Lake Villa to Internet Stardom
The journey that led Franke to national recognition began in the Chicago suburbs, where he grew up in Lake Villa and attended Lakes Community High School. According to PGA.com, he picked up golf at age three alongside his brother Craig, who also became a PGA Professional at Monroe Golf Club in Wisconsin. When high school forced him to choose between golf and football—both played during the same season in Illinois—Franke chose the links, a decision that would shape his entire career.
After completing the PGA Golf Management program at Ferris State University in Michigan, Franke spent six years at Desert Willow Golf Resort in Southern California before returning closer to home. In February 2023, he took a position as Head Golf Professional at Thornberry Creek at Oneida near Green Bay, as reported by Wisconsin Golf.
Building a Following, One Swing Tip at a Time
What set Franke apart wasn't just his PGA credentials—it was his ability to make golf accessible. His social media tagline, "common instructor for the common golfer," perfectly encapsulated his philosophy. Starting about five years ago, he began creating content for golfers visiting Desert Willow, offering quick, digestible tips that helped the course stay connected with players from Portland, Seattle, and even Canada.
"It helped even more when COVID was going on. It was the only connection they had to the thing they loved the most when they couldn't travel," Franke told PGA.com. His "Tip Tuesday" videos at Thornberry Creek regularly amassed hundreds of thousands of views, catching the attention of Barstool founder Dave Portnoy.
The email from Portnoy came just after Thanksgiving 2024. "I originally thought it was a fake email," Franke recalled in a PGA.com interview. But it was real, and by late December, he had joined Barstool full-time, launching three content pillars: Tip Tuesday videos, Friday Fix sessions where fans could submit swings for analysis, and Swings from the 'Stool, analyzing other Barstool personalities' golf games.
Instant Recognition, Lasting Impact
The transition to internet fame was surreal. Before his Barstool gig even officially began, Franke was recognized in the Paris airport by a New Yorker visiting his girlfriend in France, then again on the streets of London getting out of a cab. His Instagram following exploded from 1,200 to 30,000 followers in less than a month, PGA.com reported. At the WM Phoenix Open, PGA TOUR players were asking him for pictures.
"I'm just a golf pro teacher. That was pretty crazy," he said with characteristic humility. According to Barstool Sports, Franke was a two-time PGA Section award winner who had helped over 500 students enjoy the game.
A Community in Mourning
Tributes poured in throughout Monday following the announcement of his death. "Heartbreaking news. He was such a kind and good person," golf influencer Paige Spiranac wrote, according to The Spun. Dan "Big Cat" Katz, host of Barstool's flagship Pardon My Take podcast, said: "Beef was the absolute best. So heartbreaking."
PFT Commenter, Big Cat's co-host, added: "Beef was honestly the sweetest dude ever. Loved being around him. Don't know what else even to say. He will be missed by so many, and it makes me sad that more people won't get a chance to know him and love him."
The sentiment was universal among those who knew him: Franke wasn't just skilled at teaching golf—he was genuinely kind. The Fore Play announcement emphasized that he "selflessly spent much of his life helping others improve and enjoy the game," and was "universally known as the nicest guy in the world."
A Philosophy Cut Short
Franke's approach to golf instruction centered on simplification. He would point out to students that Tiger Woods only hits about 88 percent of greens from 100 yards out—meaning even the best player goes only 4-for-5 from that distance. "Too many golfers have too many swing thoughts that just erode the game of golf," he explained to PGA.com. His goal was to focus on one or two objectives and connect them to things average people already understood.
"Golf has always been home for me," Franke said in that same interview. "It's something I can go do. 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. I'm home."
Outside of golf, Barstool Sports noted that Franke enjoyed fishing and being out on the water. He was passionate about Chicago sports teams—with one notable exception: he couldn't stand the White Sox, staying loyal to the city's North Side baseball tradition.
The Fore Play team concluded their announcement with a promise that has resonated throughout the golf community: "We'll be removing our hats for Cody today and everyday. Rest in peace to the classiest man we knew."
For a guy who spent his career making golf simpler and more enjoyable for regular players, Franke's legacy is remarkably straightforward: he made people better at the game, and he made them smile while doing it. The Chicago area—and the golf world—lost one of the good ones.
