Dan Hicks, NBC’s play-by-play announcer for golf since 2000, has died, his wife said in an announcement Thursday morning. He was 64.
Hicks died of an acute illness, said Hannah Storm, Hicks’ wife.
“Our family is heartbroken by Dan’s sudden and unexpected death following an acute illness,” she said. “He was a devoted husband of over 30 years, a loving father to our three daughters, and a valued friend to so many. His loss is immeasurable.
“Dan was truly one of a kind and, quite simply, the person everyone wanted to be around. When he walked into a room, he brought energy, laughter and people together. He was endlessly kind, thoughtful and funny, and he made everyone feel like they mattered.”
“Our three daughters and I are heartbroken. We are grateful for the love and support surrounding our family during this incredibly difficult time. There are no words to express how much we will miss him.”
Hicks had been with NBC since 1992, after starting his career at CNN in 1989. He had worked as a tower golf announcer before being moved to the main role 26 years ago. Hicks had also called other sports for NBC, including Olympic events and Notre Dame football games.
“Dan Hicks was an extraordinary colleague, friend and person,” NBC Sports’ Rick Cordella, Sam Flood and Molly Solomon said in a statement. “In his 34 years at NBC Sports, he was an outstanding storyteller and caller of games and events that highlighted some of the greatest moments in sports history.
“From Olympic swimming and skiing to Notre Dame football, numerous other high-profile events and most notably as the signature voice of our golf coverage for the past 26 years, Dan’s style blend of knowledge, enthusiasm and humor has informed and entertained fans for decades. But far beyond his excellence on the air, Dan was a better person who welcomed his teammates with a joke, a turn, a single word, a encouragement, once, a word, an encouragement, or just one word.Our sincere condolences and love to his wife Hannah and daughters Hannah, Ellery and Riley.
“I am heartbroken by the sudden loss of our friend Dan Hicks,” Versant CEO Mark Lazarus said. “For decades, I had the privilege of working alongside Dan, but our friendship extended far beyond NBC Sports. Dan was one of the best at what he did, but what I will remember most is the person he was: a loyal friend and a devoted husband and father. My family and I are thinking of Hannah, her children and the entire Hicks family. He will be missed.”
For nearly two decades, Hicks worked with analyst Johnny Miller. His most memorable golf calls came during US Open broadcasts, including one he made at the 2008 tournament, where Tiger Woods defeated Rocco Mediate in an 18-hole playoff on Monday.
Hicks was also the voice for the Open Championships, Ryder Cups, Presidents Cups and Players Championships.
“We are devastated by the sudden loss of Dan Hicks. For more than 25 years leading NBC golf coverage, Dan’s voice filled our living rooms with his steady narration of countless golf broadcasts, calling some of the game’s greatest moments,” the PGA Tour said in a statement. “The sound of his voice is intertwined in our memories of the game, and the warmth that he brought to the broadcast was matched only by the kindness that he showed to those around him. Our hearts are with Dan’s family, his wife Hannah, and friends, and with our family at NBC Sports. On behalf of everyone in the PGA Tour, we share his pain as we cry so to those who cry.
As the news spread on Thursday, those in the golf advertising world remembered Hicks.
Rich Lerner told the Golf Channel: “In this job, you hear the news, whatever it is, and you have to write it. But in this case, for a long time, nothing touches the page. I could not formulate the words, I did not commit to the phrase, the permanence of everything: Dan Hicks is gone. It simply does not make sense. Dan was 644.”
Said Roger Maltbie, who worked long with Hicks during the NBC broadcasts: “This is a tough one. I mean, really tough. … This is not losing a colleague and a great guy. This is losing a friend.”
In 2022, James Colgan of GOLF wrote about the relationship between Hicks and Tommy Roy, the main producer of NBC, and you can read this story. here.
Please stay with GOLF.com for more on this breaking story.
