Dan Hicks, the voice of NBC’s golf coverage for more than a quarter century, died Wednesday after an acute illness. He was 64. His wife, ESPN broadcaster Hannah Storm, announced his death in a family statement.
“Our family is heartbroken by the sudden and unexpected passing of Dan following an acute illness,” Storm said. “He was a devoted husband of over 30 years, loving father to our three daughters, and cherished 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 the energy, the laughter and the 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 simply no words to express how much he will be missed.”
Hicks, a Tucson native and University of Arizona graduate, began his TV career at CNN in 1989. That’s where he met Storm. He joined NBC Sports in 1992 and worked as a tower announcer on the network’s golf broadcasts.
NBC promoted him to lead golf play-by-play in 2000. He held the seat for 26 years, calling multiple U.S. Opens, Ryder Cups and Presidents Cups. He also anchored NBC’s weekend coverage of the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass for three decades.
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For nearly 20 years, Hicks shared the booth with two-time major champion Johnny Miller. Among his most famous calls was Tiger Woods’ 72nd-hole putt at the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines to force a playoff.
His work went well beyond golf. Hicks called Olympic swimming alongside Rowdy Gaines, including the U.S. men’s 4×100 freestyle relay comeback at the 2008 Beijing Games. He also called the NFL on NBC from 1992 to 1998, worked the network’s NBA coverage in the 1990s and handled play-by-play for Notre Dame football.
The PGA Tour released a statement Thursday.
“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 biggest moments,” the Tour said. “Our hearts are with Dan’s family, his wife Hannah, and friends, and with our family at NBC Sports. On behalf of everyone at the PGA Tour, we share their sorrow as we mourn someone who meant so much to this game.”
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NBC Sports executives Rick Cordella, Sam Flood and Molly Solomon also issued a statement.
“Dan Hicks was an extraordinary colleague, friend, and person. In his 34 years at NBC Sports, he was an exceptional storyteller and caller of games and events who elevated some of the biggest moments in sports history,” they said. “Far beyond his on-air excellence, Dan was a better person who welcomed teammates with a smile, a joke, or a word of encouragement, sometimes all in the same sentence.”
Golf Channel’s Rich Lerner addressed the news on air Thursday. “To say Dan Hicks is gone makes no sense and it makes us profoundly sad,” Lerner said.
Tributes poured in across the golf world on social media, including from Jack Nicklaus and Smylie Kaufman.
Hicks is survived by Storm and their three daughters, Hannah, Ellery and Riley.
