PGA TOUR winner, broadcaster Mark Carnevale dies at 64

The Untold Legacy of Mark Carnevale: A Journey Through Triumph and Tragedy

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Before the dawn of the 1992 PGA TOUR season, Mark Carnevale had a modest career with only 10 PGA TOUR events under his belt since turning pro in 1983. His journey was a patchwork of mini-tours, state-open circuits, and seven fruitless attempts at Q-School. However, in 1991, his fortunes shifted as he secured his PGA TOUR card by tying for 18th at the Qualifying Tournament. At the age of 32, Carnevale found himself a rookie once again.

 

His early days on the PGA TOUR were fraught with challenges. In his first 10 starts as a full member, he made the cut only five times, with his best finish being a tie for 39th at the Deposit Guaranty Golf Classic, netting a mere $1,081. Despite further missed cuts, flashes of his potential emerged with a tie for 13th at the BellSouth Classic and a tie for 19th at the Centel Western Open.

 

Carnevale’s persistence paid off in Tennessee, where he clinched the Chattanooga Classic at Council Fire Golf Club. A stunning final-round 64 secured his victory over Ed Dougherty and Dan Forsman by two strokes. This win, which straddled the border of Tennessee and Georgia, was his lone PGA TOUR triumph but earned him the prestigious PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year honors. This victory propelled him into a lifelong career in golf, spanning roles as a player, administrator, and broadcaster.

 

Tragically, Mark Carnevale passed away unexpectedly on July 22, 2024, at the age of 64.

 

“Mark was a beloved part of the TOUR family for a long time,” remarked PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. “He was a member of that elite club, a PGA TOUR winner, and he played 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.”

 

Mark Carnevale’s roots in sports ran deep. His father, Ben, was the head basketball coach at North Carolina, leading the Tar Heels to their first NCAA tournament appearance in 1946. The elder Carnevale later coached at Navy for 20 years before retiring and moving the family to Williamsburg, Virginia, where he became the athletic director at William & Mary.

 

While Mark was drawn to golf, he considered playing for William & Mary but ultimately accepted a scholarship to James Madison University. Despite a stellar collegiate career marred by a sophomore-year injury, Carnevale initially did not aspire to a professional golf career, once stating, “The competition is unbelievable on the TOUR. I enjoy the game too much for that.” His perspective changed after a brief stint working for a brokerage firm.

 

Returning to competitive golf, Carnevale found early success on various mini-tours and claimed victory at the 1990 Utah Open after an eight-stroke comeback. By 1992, he had ascended to the PGA TOUR, securing Rookie of the Year honors with his Chattanooga win and finishing 70th on the money list.

 

In 1994, Carnevale came close to another victory, participating in a six-man playoff at the rain-shortened Byron Nelson, ultimately won by Neal Lancaster. However, his performance declined, and by 1996, he fell to 185th on the money list. Despite splitting his time between the PGA TOUR and the Korn Ferry Tour, Carnevale found renewed success in 1997, finishing second at the Lakeland Classic and winning the Inland Empire Open. His strong early-season performance allowed him to hold the No. 1 spot on the money list for 11 weeks, finishing second overall and securing another year on the PGA TOUR.

 

Transitioning from player to administrator, Carnevale became the tournament director of the Korn Ferry Tour’s Virginia Beach Open in 2003. Despite stepping away from regular competition, he occasionally played on the PGA TOUR under the past-champion category, competing in 212 PGA TOUR tournaments and 66 Korn Ferry Tour events over his career.

 

In 2005, Carnevale embarked on a new chapter as a broadcaster, bringing his expertise and charisma to SiriusXM Radio and PGA TOUR LIVE on ESPN+. His final assignment was at the Genesis Scottish Open, where he served as a walking reporter for PGA TOUR Radio.

 

“Mark Carnevale was an integral part of live coverage on our streaming platforms and PGA TOUR Radio coverage. He was a consummate professional, who was respected by the PGA TOUR players he covered, and his insightful analysis and humor will be greatly missed,” said Greg Hopfe, PGA TOUR Entertainment senior vice president and executive producer.

 

Mark Carnevale leaves behind a legacy of perseverance and passion for golf. He is survived by his siblings, Jeanne (Skip Hansford), Robert (Karen), Dave (Nancy), and Dan (Lana), and his beloved partner, Liz Boudreaux. Funeral arrangements are pending.