At 64 years old, Mark Carnevale – PGA Tour champion and renowned broadcaster- passed away suddenly.
Mark Carnevale grinned widely in 2015 while hosting “The Mark Carnevale Show” on SiriusXM.
Mark Carnevale, like many people his age, entered broadcasting after retiring from professional playing. Consequently, there are younger fans who are unaware of his success as a PGA Tour winner and player.
Carnevale’s journey was full of excitement as he hopped around mini tours before finally earning his PGA Tour card through Qualifying School at the age of 31. His rookie season in 1992, which he shared with other newcomers Phil Mickelson and David Toms, proved to be his most triumphant year yet. The Maryland native impressed by winning the Chattanooga Classic after closing with an impressive round of 64 despite being down five shots beforehand. As a result, Carnevale clinched Rookie of Year honors for that season.
Carnevale remembers his father, Ben, who was a basketball coach at the University of North Carolina and later Navy, packing up in a hotel room on the Sunday of Carnevale’s victory. Ben had been attending a golf tournament for most of the week. During an interview with Golf Digest writer Bill Fields in 2008, Carnevale shared that he called his dad into the room where he saw him choked up unable to speak – it is one of few times Carnevale ever witnessed this from his father. He believes making that phone call will remain as probably their most memorable moment related to golf forever.
Carnevale’s solo victory was achieved in the PGA Tour (in addition to his Nike Tour win back in ’97), but he struggled with inconsistency thereafter and eventually decided to step away from competition, predominantly. He briefly transitioned into a role as tournament director for Nationwide events before fatefully accepting an opportunity to commentate at newly created PGA Tour Radio circa 2005 – where Carnevale flourished through affable banter, humor, and ability ease of rapport among players. His gift for following each play-by-play moment helped him conduct post-round interviews with countless golf legends over a rewarding span lasting two decades.
Following his unexpected death on Monday, at the age of 64, Carnevale’s absence from tournaments will undoubtedly be felt as he was a regular fixture. The PGA Tour shared this news via social media and expressed their condolences.
Carnevale’s sudden demise is unexpected, given that he was employed just a week earlier during the Genesis Scottish Open. Moreover, his roster included attendance at the 3M Open in Minnesota this current week.
In 1997, Mark Carnevale was depicted as the winner of his only tour event, which took place in the 1992 Chattanooga Classic.
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan referred to Carnevale as a treasured member of the tour family. In a statement, he acknowledged that Carnevale was well-versed in the sport and had effectively conveyed perspectives from his distinctive viewpoint with an entertaining sense of humor which engaged countless fans at various tournaments over time. While expressing deep sorrow for Mark’s passing, Monahan extended condolences to those who cared about him dearly.
Carnevale never intended to become a professional golfer, despite playing college golf at James Madison. In fact, he once told a newspaper that the level of competition on tour is incredible and his love for the game outweighs any desire to go pro. However, Carnevale didn’t let this stop him from continuing to play competitively after graduating; in 1990 he won the Utah Open while working as a broker. Two years later, though unexpected by himself or others due to not planning it out earlier in life like other professionals do early on. Thanks partially thanks partly because of his victory at Chattanooga tournament with which earned him enough points earn earning Tour Card qualification and leading lead ingMT Mickelson tomTom all , Ttomsomos- -to be voted Rookie of Year awardfor not only achieving money list’s 70th position but also impressing peers alike through outstanding performances throughout seasonoveralldominating rookie playerever seen before .
Carnevale informed Golf Digest that he had teased Mickelson about their past. According to him, “I inquired if Phil was able to come to terms with the fact that I won rookie of the year over him.” He mentioned after a chuckle from Phil, “He admitted still feeling somewhat disappointed but believes it’s not bothering him much now.”
Carnevale almost clinched his second win at the 1994 Byron Nelson tournament, but ended up losing in a six-man playoff won by Neal Lancaster. However, Carnevale’s career took a hit as he lost his card two years later. Despite this setback, he made an impressive comeback in 1997 when he emerged victorious at Southern California’s Inland Empire Open on Nike Tour. This success eventually propelled him to grab the runner-up position on that season’s PGA money list and regain membership of PGA tour in 1988 once again.
However, Carnevale acknowledged that he could not compete with the younger players – a fact illustrated when he played alongside Charles Howell III in 2000. “I remember being next to this thin kid who easily hit it 70 yards past me,” recounted the former professional golfer nicknamed “Moose.” He believed it was time for him to establish new priorities such as building a family and finding other career prospects.
Eventually, Carnevale would be broadcasting once more and regain his popularity as a heralded newcomer with one of the most distinguished voices on PGA Tour Radio. He has also recently become well-known for commentating on PGA Tour Live through ESPN+.
When asked by Golf Digest in an interview, Carnevale was questioned about what he would communicate to individuals who abruptly achieve success after years of hard work.
He advised, “There’s no need to alter. You arrived at that point for a purpose.”
