Mark Carnevale, a PGA Tour player turned golf broadcaster who worked a radio assignment as recently as two weeks ago, died unexpectedly Monday at 64, the tour announced.
Carnevale grinded on the PGA Tour and mini tours for a decade before regaining his PGA Tour card in late 1991. Less than a year later, he won his first and only PGA Tour event, beating Ed Dougherty and Dan Forsman by two strokes at the Chattanooga Classic.
Carnevale also won events on the Nike Tour (now known as the Korn Ferry Tour) and the U.S. Golf Tour. He qualified for two U.S. Opens in 1994 and 1998 and made the cut both times, with a best finish of T25 in 1998.
Born in Annapolis, Md., Carnevale played college golf at James Madison in Virginia.
“We are devastated to learn about the sudden passing of JMU Alum Mark Carnevale (‘82),” the James Madison men’s golf program posted on X, formerly Twitter. “Carnevale was inducted into the JMU Hall of Fame in 1999 and was the first Dukes’ golfer to compete in The Open. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.”
Carnevale began his golf broadcasting career in 2005 with SiriusXM Radio. He has also worked for PGA Tour Live, the extended tournament broadcasts streamed on ESPN+.
The PGA Tour said Carnevale worked the Genesis Scottish Open as a walking reporter for PGA Tour Radio earlier this month and was scheduled to work this week’s 3M Open.
“Mark was a beloved part of the TOUR family for a long time,” PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said in a statement. “He was a member of that elite club, a PGA Tour winner, and then he held numerous roles within the industry, most recently as a significant voice in PGA Tour Radio’s coverage. Mark knew the game and did a terrific job of conveying insights from his unique point of view — and with an engaging wit and sense of humor — to fans from countless tour events through the years. We will miss Mark and send our condolences to his loved ones.”
–Field Level Media