Legendary golf broadcaster Dan Hicks died on Wednesday, his family announced. He was 64.
His wife, Hannah Storm, released a statement on Thursday morning announcing the tragic news stating that Hicks died due to an “acute illness.”
“Our family is heartbroken by the sudden and unexpected passing of Dan following an acute illness,” Storm, the ESPN broadcaster, wrote. “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.”
Hicks began as a broadcaster with NBC in 1992. His voice and style became a staple to golf watchers around the world. Hicks called Tiger Woods’ dramatic playoff-forcing putt in the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines and many other notable moments in the sport.
As Woods’ putt rolled into the cup — he was at the top on his game in 2008 — on 18 green to tie Rocco Mediate and set up an 18-hole playoff the following day, Hicks shouted “Expect anything different?”
Hicks also called the Olympics and Notre Dame football for NBC Sports. The broadcaster’s call of the Michael Phelps-Jason Lezak relay in the 2008 Olympics is also among his most notable.
“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 exceptional storyteller and caller of games and events who elevated some of the biggest moments in sports history.
“From Olympic swimming and skiing to Notre Dame Football, numerous other high-profile events and especially as the signature voice of our golf coverage for the last 26 years, Dan’s blend of knowledge style, enthusiasm and humor informed and entertained fans for decades. But 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 three in the same sentence. Our heartfelt condolences and love to his wife Hannah and his daughters Hannah, Ellery and Riley.”