PGA Tour broadcaster Mark Carnevale dies aged 64 as golf pays tribute

Mark Carnevale, a former competitor on the PGA Tour and beloved golf broadcaster, has died aged 64 .

The Maryland native passed away unexpectedly, working the Scottish Open just last week, and a cause of death has not yet been announced. "Mark was a beloved part of the Tour family for a long time," said PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan in a statement on Monday. "He was a member of that elite club, a PGA Tour winner, and then he held numerous roles within the industry, most recently as a significant voice in PGA Tour Radio’s coverage.

"Mark knew the game and did a terrific job of conveying insights from his unique point of view – and with an engaging wit and sense of humor – to fans from countless Tour events through the years. We will miss Mark and send our condolences to his loved ones."

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Carnevale was the son of a basketball coach, Ben, who led the illustrious North Carolina Tar Heels program to their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 1946. He was born in Annapolis while his father worked for Navy, and later relocated to Williamsburg, Virginia . The young golfer remained close to his adopted home, attending James Madison University in 1978 before a 10-year post-graduate climb to the highest level of professional golf.

"We are devastated to learn about the sudden passing of JMU Alum Mark Carnevale ('82)," the James Madison golf program wrote on X Monday. "Carnevale was inducted into the JMU Hall of Fame in 1999 and was the first Dukes' golfer to compete in The Open. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time."

Carnevale debuted on the PGA Tour in 1992 and found a lofty early trajectory, winning the Chattanooga Classic and scooping up Rookie of the Year honors. He struggled to replicate that early success, however, and would later compete on the second-tier Nike Tour.

Playing in a few Champions Tour events after turning 50, Carnevale largely focused on his duties as tournament director of the Virginia Beach Open and, later, his blossoming broadcast career he's since become best known for. Carnevale began on the PGA Tour Radio in 2005 and was a nearly ever-present radio voice on events in the following two decades, prompting a flood of condolences from media members.

"I lost my grouchy teddy bear today. Mark Carnevale was one of the good ones," ESPN Senior Golf Analyst Michael Collins wrote. "I loved him, I’m gonna miss him. He made all of us on (the Sirius XM PGA Tour) better broadcasters. More importantly, his friendship was unconditional. This hurts... a lot."

CBS Sports on-course commentator Colt Knost added the following: "RIP Mark Carnevale. (Sirius XM) won’t be the same without him! One of the best in the business."