‘A great man’: Pro golfers share heartfelt messages for late golf journalist Tim Rosaforte
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Tim Rosaforte spent time at Sports Illustrated, Golf Digest and Golf Channel during his long career as a golf journalist.
Andrew Redington/Getty Images
On Tuesday, longtime golf writer and reporter Tim Rosaforte died after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was just 66 years old. The veteran golf insider, who golf fans knew best from his long tenure at Golf Channel, had a wide-ranging impact on the game of golf, and condolences and memorials poured in when news of his passing broke.
Among those honoring Rosaforte’s life were numerous PGA Tour pros across multiple generations, including one player who Rosaforte covered throughout his career, Phil Mickelson.
“Tim was one of the best at what he did,” Mickelson tweeted on Tuesday. “He lifted those up around him and shared insight into the game of golf from an interesting and positive point of view. He will be remembered by so many he came in contact with and we are all better for having known him. RIP Tim.”
Remembering golf reporter Tim Rosaforte, who looked, acted and nailed the partBy: Michael Bamberger
But Mickelson wasn’t the only pro who felt compelled to pay his respects to Rosaforte. Graeme McDowell called him a “great man” who will be “dearly missed,” and Bryson DeChambeau offered his thoughts and prayers to “an amazing reporter and a respected journalist.”
Journalists and the golfers they cover sometimes have a contentious relationship given the nature of the work they do, making the outpouring from the pro ranks a testament to the sterling reputation Rosaforte crafted over his long career, not just among his colleagues but his subjects as well.
You can read a sample of heartfelt messages shared by Mickelson, McDowell, DeChambeau, Jack Nicklaus, Justin Thomas, David Duval, Zach Johnson and many more below.
Tim was one of the best at what he did. He lifted those up around him and shared insight into the game of golf from an interesting and positive point of view. He will be remembered by so many he came in contact with and we are all better for having known him. RIP Tim https://t.co/lBDMFqaVhc
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) January 12, 2022
Terrible news to hear today. Tim was an amazing reporter and a respected journalist. Had a lot of great conversations throughout the few years I was on tour. Sending my thoughts and prayers to his family today. https://t.co/jAlOLEYbm9
— Bryson DeChambeau (@b_dechambeau) January 12, 2022
We were blessed to honor Tim at the 2021 Memorial with the Memorial Golf Journalism Award. That led to a day I'll remember forever. It was May 12 and Tim’s wife, Genevieve, brought him to our home. We shared stories, laughs and tears. It was the last time I got to visit with Tim. pic.twitter.com/RWYfqLEgCp
— Jack Nicklaus (@jacknicklaus) January 11, 2022
Awful, awful news. RIP, Rosie 🙏 https://t.co/sduDAK71Un
— Justin Thomas (@JustinThomas34) 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
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
Tim Rosaforte was a great man who loved the sport of golf. He will be dearly missed. https://t.co/8YaQu1gWDM
— Graeme McDowell (@Graeme_McDowell) January 11, 2022
Sad to hear the passing of Tim Rosaforte. He was such a good dude to me in both of my jobs, as a player and pundit. Loved this picture he took with my dad at the 2013 PGA. pic.twitter.com/AVQgihm3QN
— Rich Beem (@beemerpga) January 11, 2022
Sad day in the golf world. Rosey will be missed. Always one of the good guys and well respected amongst all the players https://t.co/rpn2kZXriP
— Harris English (@Harris_English) January 11, 2022
This whole thread is true. A great memory about a great man. We will miss him.
— Brian Gay (@BrianGayPGA) January 11, 2022
Condolences to all those who loved him. There were many. RIP Rosie 🌹💔 https://t.co/s8IOK2CVoz
One of the best. Always enjoyed my times visiting with Tim. RIP my friend. 🙏🙏 https://t.co/RPr6myND9N
— Ryan Palmer (@RyanPalmerPGA) January 11, 2022
Just saw the news about Tim Rosaforte. He really was one of the best in the business. Sad day for the golf world.
— DeLetty (@GrahamDeLaet) January 11, 2022
Tim was one of the best in the business. I’ll remember how thorough and intentional he was during his interviews and how he always seemed to ask the right questions. Such a great man that will be sorely missed. A sad day for golf. https://t.co/LQfUHMLPUa
— Smylie Kaufman (@SmylieKaufman10) January 11, 2022
A very sad day in the golfing world. Always had time for Tim and thoroughly enjoyed our chats over the years. Gone way too soon. You will be greatly missed 🙏🏼 https://t.co/N5CvSpHKNy
— Luke Donald (@LukeDonald) January 12, 2022
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Kevin Cunningham
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