Tim Rosaforte Biography – Tim Rosaforte Wiki
Tim Rosaforte was a golf journalist and writer. He was known as a golf insider for his work with NBC Sports and the Golf Channel. He wrote for the Tampa Times, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Palm Beach Post, Sports Illustrated and Golf Digest over his career, while also taking on golf broadcast roles with USA Network and the NBC-Golf Channel reporting team.
After growing up in Mount Kisco, New York, Rosaforte went to the University of Rhode Island, where he got his journalism degree and played linebacker for the football team. He got his professional start in newspapers, first at the Tampa Times in 1977, then the Sun-Sentinel and the Palm Beach Post. He later moved into magazines, including Sports Illustrated, Golf World, and Golf Digest, but it was in television that he found his niche, providing insights in real time at golf’s biggest events.
He won the PGA of America’s Lifetime Achievement Award in Journalism, and also was awarded a rare lifetime PGA membership – a first for a golf journalist. He also won the Memorial Tournament’s lifetime achievement award, and The Honda Classic named its media center after him after his retirement. He also wrote three books.
A past president of the Golf Writers Association of America, he often emceed the GWAA writing awards dinner and won all four non-daily GWAA awards himself. He retired in December 2019 after a career that spanned more than 40 years. In his career, Rosaforte covered more than 125 majors and 17 Ryder Cups, according to the PGA Tour.
In 2020, Rosaforte became the 12th person to be appointed a PGA of America honorary member, joining a list that includes former Presidents Dwight Eisenhower, Gerald Ford and George H.W. Bush, and nine-time major champion Gary Player.
Tim Rosaforte Age
He was born on October 25, 1955, in Mount Kisco, New York, United States. He died on January 11, 2022, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, United States. He was 66 years old.
Tim Rosaforte Wife
Tim Rosaforte’s wife is Genevieve Rosaforte. The couple celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary on 9 April 2018. Rosaforte paid tribute to his wife in an Instagram post. He wrote: “Happy 35th Anniversary to my beautiful bride, Genevieve. I wouldn’t be where I am today without you! ❤️”
Tim Rosaforte Children
Tim Rosaforte and his wife, Genevieve Rosaforte, have two daughters: Genna Low Bezek and Molly Gibson Rosaforte. Genna is married to real estate agent Nick Bezek. They wed in 2014. His youngest daughter, Molly, is married to Mason Colling, a golf professional from Old Marsh.
Tim Rosaforte Family
He is survived by his wife Genevieve Rosaforte, daughters Genna and Molly and three grandchildren.
Tim Rosaforte Death
Journalist Tim Rosaforte died in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. on January 11, 2022, at the age of 66, after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. A family friend confirmed the news via the Golf Channel.
PGA of America President, Jim Richerson, said in a statement: “Throughout his remarkable life, PGA Honorary Member Tim Rosaforte was driven by his deep devotion to the game of golf. He was a tireless reporter and an ambassador for the game, covering an astounding 147 major championships and 17 Ryder Cups. He also enjoyed telling the stories of PGA Professionals and his admiration for the PGA Member meant so much to us. Tim’s special commitment to serving his readers and viewers inspired his legendary scoops, which could always be trusted. While few golf reporters have broken more stories, Tim understood that a relationship was far more important than a moment. In 2020, we were proud that he was the first journalist elected as a PGA Honorary Member, which followed his recognition in 2014 as winner of the PGA Lifetime Achievement Award in Journalism – two honors that absolutely meant the world to Tim. His wonderful grace, charm and insight will be dearly missed by his many friends at the PGA of America and all across the game of golf. Our sympathies are with Tim’s wife, Genevieve, the Rosaforte family and all those who called him a friend.”
PGA of America CEO, Seth Waugh, said: “Today, we lost a hero of the game. PGA Honorary Member Tim Rosaforte was more than a legendary reporter, he was a consummate friend. Living the mantra of “true to me, fair to you,” he realized the importance of building relationships and earning respect. Tim treated everyone from the clubhouse waiter to the world’s top players as equals, gaining their trust for exclusive stories as golf’s favorite “Mr. Insider.” A person whose presence truly lit up the room, Tim Rosaforte was a special friend that we will miss tremendously both personally and as an Association and a game. Our hearts at the PGA of America reach out to Genevieve and Tim’s entire family.”
“The PGA TOUR family lost a friend today in Tim Rosaforte, one of the great golf journalists of his generation,” PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan said in a statement. “Tim was an amazing storyteller and spent much of his energy on showcasing what sets golf apart from other sports – the people and the personalities.”
“A true professional, Tim always treated our organization and our athletes fairly. Writing and speaking with an opinion but without an agenda. He never stopped working the phones, ensuring that he not only got the story first, he got the story right. Those phone calls – and Tim’s gentle spirit – will be missed tremendously by all of us lucky enough to be part of the greater golf community. Our condolences to Tim Rosaforte’s wife, Genevieve Rosaforte, daughters Genna and Molly and their families.”
Chairman of NBC Sports Pete Bevacqua issued the following statement on his passing: “We at NBC Sports are all so deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our friend and colleague, Tim Rosaforte. Tim was one of the great voices of the game for many years, and a strong and trusted presence for the entire golf community. On a personal level, I will miss our conversations and the walks we would take around championship venues over the course of the last two-plus decades.”
Golf Channel EP Molly Solomon said in a statement: “Tim Rosaforte was golf journalism’s original ‘insider.’ He was endlessly curious about people, tirelessly intrigued by golf and blessed with an indefatigable work ethic. He combined all of that to produce entertaining and informative storytelling that distinguished him, first as a newspaper and magazine writer, and then as a television personality. More than that, his gentle, caring demeanor and love for quality conversation made him a singular friend and colleague. All of us at GOLF Channel have struggled over the past two years to reconcile that our best teammate was losing his memory, curiosity and perspective to this insidious disease. We send our love to Genevieve, Genna, Molly and his family.”
Phil Mickelson tweeted: “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.”
Jack Nicklaus added: “Many hearts, including Barbara’s & mine, hurt today after the passing of our friend Tim Rosaforte. Tim had a wonderful ability to develop trust from so many, and because of that — plus his work ethic — if there was an important story to be told in golf, Tim usually reported it first.”
Tim Rosaforte Cause of Death
Tim Rosaforte died of complications from Alzheimer’s Disease.
Tim Rosaforte Health
He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2019 after having memory issues for about two years. He retired from the Golf Channel in December 2019 because of the cognitive problems. Following the illness, Rosaforte did not cover the 2020 Masters tournament for the first time since 1983.
“I’ve been going to the Masters for a long time,” Rosaforte told The Palm Beach Post in November 2020 at his Jupiter home. “I’ll miss the tournament and the golf writers award dinner, which I have emceed a lot. Nothing lasts forever. It’s time for me to take a break.
“Truth is, I missed a lot of my family while they were growing up. I now have a chance to spend more time with my family and meet their friends and get to know what great people they are. My youngest daughter, Molly, just got married to a golf professional from Old Marsh (Mason Colling).”
Tim Rosaforte Net Worth
He has an estimated net worth of $10million.
Tim Rosaforte Obituary
Tim Rosaforte’s obituary was not immediately available.