We have seen people do many things in memory of professional golfers. Erik van Rooyen and his friends started the Jon Trasamar Scholarship Fund after he lost his friend to cancer. There’s the Rob Snyder Memorial Golf Scholarship and the Phyllis G. Meekins Scholarship. However, there are a few people who, despite not playing professionally, can touch the hearts of others. YouTube golf has the potential to surpass the PGA Tour in engagement. And it has all become possible because of some golf influencers who aim to make golf more fun and accessible to common golfers. Late Cody “Beef” Franke was among these influencers, who was known as one of the kindest and most generous human beings.

Franke worked for Barstool Sports as an influencer. He was best known as a content creator for the Fore Play podcast, where he gave golf tips, often with a chuckle. The Chicago native died at 31 because of a sudden medical issue. As a way to pay their respects to Cody “Beef” Franke, the Fore Play podcast collaborated with his family to start the Cody “Beef” Franke Scholarship Fund at Ferris State University.

“Introducing the Cody “Beef” Franke Scholarship Fund at Ferris State University. Our friend Beef loved his time at the Ferris State PGA Golf Management Program. In his memory, we have worked with the university and Cody’s family to create a scholarship fund that will honor his kindness and love for the game, and will support in perpetuity students at Ferris State University, sculpting young leaders to carry themselves both professionally and personally as Beef did. With all class,” the Fore Play podcast wrote in an X post.

Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports, announced that “Barstool lost a member of our family this weekend.” Franke used to work for the PGA of America as a pro golfer. He worked at clubs in California and Wisconsin. In 2024, he received an email from Dave Portnoy to join Barstool Sports. “I originally thought it was a fake email,” Franke told the PGA of America. And while it wasn’t fake, Cody “Beef” Franke initially tried to do both jobs. However, he finally took the plunge. Soon, he became a popular golf influencer and the face of the Fore Play Podcast.

Franke was known for his kindness, humility, and generosity. Frankie Borrelli once shared an X post in February 2025. “If Beef meets 1000 people, he’s taking his hat off 1000 times. I’ve never seen anything like it. He took his hat off to say goodnight at the Airbnb the other day. The epitome of class @BARSTOOLBEEF_” Borrelli wrote. And one could literally see Franke taking off his hat every time he communicated with a fan in the video post.

The fund started by Barstool Sports and Fore Play Podcast aims to continue Franke’s legacy. His love of the game, his legacy, and his Bulldog spirit will live on through the fund. While Cody “Beef” Franke is gone, fans will have a loving last memory of the kindest man. A few days after Franke’s death, Barstool Sports released the final video of the pre-recorded Internet Invitational. The host of the Fore Play Podcast won the event.

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Cody “Beef” Franke’s win at the Internet Invitational

Franke won the inaugural Internet Invitational as part of Team Dalke. He played alongside Brad Dalke and Francis Ellis. The three were facing Paige Spiranac, Frankie Borelli, and Malosi Togisala in the finale. Despite all the controversy of Paige Spiranac and her teammate Togisala cheating in the final, Franke and his team won the showdown.

The drama peaked on the final hole. Both teams were square, but when Frankie Borelli chipped into the water, Franke had a chance to putt and win. Franke calmly converted, sealing victory for Team Dalke. Since he was a kind human, Franke got very emotional after the win. Looking at his tears and emotions, it was clear how much that putt meant to him. “Just life changing,” Franke said about the winning putt.

Earlier in the video, the organizers asked Cody “Beef” Franke what he would do with the winning share if his team wins. “I think I’d pay off my parents’ house,” Franke said. While he and his team won the event, he lost his battle with life.

Although he is no more, the scholarship created in his name gives people a way to carry forward the kindness he showed every day. Cody “Beef” Franke’s memory will live on through the students, friends, and golfers who continue to be shaped by his spirit because of this fund.