Longtime Golf Journalist Tim Rosaforte Dies at 66

Tim Rosaforte, one of golf's most accomplished journalists, died Tuesday in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., of Alzheimer's disease. He was 66.
Rosaforte was one of the most trusted and familiar on-air reporters in golf at the time of his retirement from Golf Channel in 2019. He was at the network from 2007 to 2019 after stints at Golf Digest, Golf World and Sports Illustrated. He also covered golf for the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
Rosaforte was one of the most trusted and familiar on-air reporters in golf at the time of his retirement from Golf Channel in 2019. He was at the network from 2007 to 2019 after stints at Golf Digest, Golf World and Sports Illustrated. He also covered golf for the South Florida Sen-Sentinel.
“The PGA Tour family lost a friend today in Tim Rosaforte, one of the great golf journalists of his generation,” PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said in a statement. “Tim was an amazing storyteller and spent much of his energy showcasing what sets golf apart from other sports — the people and the personalities."
Here are links to some of his work in the Sports Illustrated Vault:
From the Golf Writers Association of America:
The GWAA and the sport of golf lost one of the great ones Tuesday when former GWAA president Tim Rosaforte passed away after a battle with aggressive Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 66.
Tim was our friend, colleague, mentor and one of the best persons you could ever know.
He was tough, talented and fair and trusted by everyone in golf. He loved and respected the game and the people inside it, which showed in his award-winning reporting at every level — from newspapers to magazines to the Golf Channel, where he became the game’s insider.
He set a high bar. Tim covered more than 125 majors during his career and was honored with the PGA of America’s Lifetime Achievement in Journalism Award, the Memorial Tournament’s Golf Journalism Award and is the only journalist – and one of only 12 people — to be given an honorary membership in the PGA of America. As busy as he was, he always had time for a pressroom chat and, during Masters week, he never tired of being our go-to emcee at the annual GWAA Awards dinner each April.He will be missed by so many.
Some of the reaction from social media:
Our colleague Tim Rosaforte passed away today after a battle with aggressive Alzheimer’s. Just 66. Beloved in golf. Broke stories, but never his word. Unselfish, tough but tender, trusted friend who’d do anything for you, a genuinely good soul. May his memory be a blessing.
— Rich Lerner (@RichLernerGC) January 11, 2022
This such sad news. My son @breevesMD and I got to meet him at the 2014 @TheMasters. He was gracious and friendly and spoke to us for a few minutes and had encouraging words to say to my son who was playing college golf at the time. We will miss him. pic.twitter.com/Bt6oEyXdwh
— Todd Reeves (@ToddReeves828) January 11, 2022
My heart aches at the passing of @Rosafortegolf. A true gentleman and ambassador of the game of golf. He will be missed. Condolences to his wife and girls. pic.twitter.com/vpP6oi9B7Z
— Zach Johnson (@ZachJohnsonPGA) January 11, 2022
Tremendously sad to hear of Tim Rosaforte passing. Abundantly kind and fair to all he came across. Blessed to have known him my entire career. More blessed to call him my friend. We all just lost a beautiful person.
— David Duval (@david59duval) January 11, 2022
Learned on my trip down to VCU this afternoon that my long-time friend and past colleague Tim Rosaforte passed away. Tim had battled early onset dementia for a couple of years. HORRIBLE disease. So unfair and tragic. I'm truly saddened.
— John Feinstein (@FeinsteinBooks_) January 11, 2022
So sad to hear the news of Tim Rosaforte’s passing. So honored to know him the last two decades and to work next to him over the last few years. Prayers to his family and friends … and Rosie had so many of those. Quite a man! https://t.co/MCAMae7TuH
— MikeTirico (@miketirico) January 11, 2022
Sad day for golf.Tim would always start a conversation with “Woody I understand if you don’t feel comfortable talking about this, but I’m working on _____.” It made you trust him even more and feel MORE comfortable because you knew he wouldn’t burn you. A prince of a man. #Rosie
— John Wood (@Johnwould) January 11, 2022
