Dan Hicks, NBC's lead golf play-by-play voice since 2000, dies at 64

Dan Hicks, NBC Sports' lead golf play-by-play announcer since 2000, has died at 64. His wife, ESPN broadcaster Hannah Storm, announced Thursday that he died after an acute illness. The USGA says he died suddenly on Nov. 11. The PGA Tour, NBC Sports, the USGA, Reuters and GOLF.com all confirmed the news Thursday.

"Our family is heartbroken by the sudden and unexpected passing of Dan following an acute illness," Storm 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."

Three decades in the booth

Hicks, an Arizona native who lived in Greenwich, Conn., joined NBC in 1992 after starting at CNN in 1989. He worked as a tower announcer before taking over the network's PGA Tour play-by-play in 2000, and he worked alongside analyst Johnny Miller for nearly two decades.

The U.S. Open was his signature event. According to the USGA, he was at NBC's first U.S. Open broadcast at Shinnecock Hills in 1995, and this year, back at Shinnecock, he worked his 27th U.S. Open and his 22nd as lead announcer. His last USGA event for NBC was the U.S. Amateur at Merion in August. He also called The Players, the FedExCup Playoffs, the Ryder Cup, Presidents Cup and Solheim Cup.

His best-known call came at the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines. Tiger Woods holed a birdie putt on the 72nd hole to force a playoff with Rocco Mediate, and Hicks shouted, "Expect anything different?" Woods won the Monday playoff.

Outside golf, Hicks called skiing and swimming at 16 Olympics, including Michael Phelps' eight gold medals in Beijing. Reuters notes he had been NBC's Notre Dame football play-by-play voice since 2024. Golf Digest reports he was scheduled to call a Notre Dame game this weekend.

What people are saying

"We are devastated by the sudden loss of Dan Hicks," the PGA Tour said in a statement, adding that his voice "filled our living rooms" for more than 25 years of NBC golf coverage.

USGA CEO Mike Whan called him "a true friend to the game and to the USGA, but more importantly, a wonderful person." NBC Sports president Rick Cordella and executive producers Sam Flood and Molly Solomon called him "an extraordinary colleague, friend and person" across his 34 years at the network.

Hicks is survived by Storm and their daughters, Hannah, Ellery and Riley.

What to watch

Notre Dame's game this weekend is the first broadcast Hicks was set to call. Watch for NBC to name who fills that seat, and later who takes over its lead golf play-by-play role.