When I heard the news that Fuzzy Zoeller had passed away on Thursday at age 74, I immediately thought of my best friend from high school. Growing up, he and his family always attended the RBC Heritage during spring break and in in 1985, during the height of his popularity, Zoeller pulled him out of the crowd, handed him his driver to hit a shot and went and got a hot dog before he teed off. A life-long fan was made. What my childhood friend didn’t know at the time was that Zoeller did some version of this practically every week. There were few more colorful characters in the game who were better with the fans than Frank Urban Zoeller — The FUZ. RIP, Fuzzy. Here’s what members of the golf industry had to say on his passing. For Golfweek‘s full obit, click here.
Chairman Fred Ridley on the passing of 1979 Masters champion Fuzzy Zoeller:
“Fuzzy had a strong passion for the game, and his distinction as a Masters champion, in his first ever appearance in 1979, is an achievement that will never be forgotten. Fuzzy went on to play in 31… pic.twitter.com/9lOOvF3F8D
— The Masters (@TheMasters) November 27, 2025
Sad news about Fuzzy Zoeller passing away at 74.
Fuzzy was a gift to the @PGATOUR with his fast wit and as a great player.
There are a number of wonderful stories told in the Locker Rooms on Tour about Fuzzy.
He was a classic.
RIP Fuzz
— Richard Zokol (@RichardZokol) November 27, 2025
To a best friend and a father figure who helped me a ton in my life… I’II miss you beyond words🕊️Rest in Peace Fuzzy❤️ pic.twitter.com/7oGc2dALOG
— John Daly (@PGA_JohnDaly) November 27, 2025
Fuzzy Zoeller passed away. I want to tell a Fuzzy Zoeller story that you haven’t heard. In the late 90s I had recently taken over as CEO of Carbite golf. We were Fuzzy Zoeller’s primary sponsor. The company was struggling financially and we were trying to turn things around. I…
— John Pierandozzi (@JohnPierandozzi) November 27, 2025
Fuzzy didn’t mess around when he played. Proof comes from the great Vin Scully on the 18th hole of the ’79 Masters: “Fuzzy Zoeller walked up and hit his ball as if he was double-parked outside the clubhouse.”
— dougferguson405 (@dougferguson405) November 27, 2025
I first met Fuzzy Zoeller in 1981 when we had dinner together at an AJGA event during the PGA Championship. From that moment forward, he always had time for me, even when he didn’t. R.I.P.https://t.co/RkDCF31Ql4
— Steve Eubanks (@jseubanks) November 27, 2025
Oh man. Fuzzy passed. He was one of a kind. I first met him in the 1988 British Open. A practice round was arranged by Larry Mize with Fuzzy and Hubert Green. I was a terrified amateur and those guys were great to me. Fuzzy threw all my golf balls to the gallery. I had…
— Charlie Rymer (@CharlieRymerPGA) November 27, 2025
I was a huge Fuzzy fan growing up in Indiana. I remember watching him win the Masters in my dad’s golf shop and dreaming that one day I would play in the Masters.
Fuzzy always encouraged me especially my early years on Tour. I will miss him and his incredible laugh. Legend. https://t.co/Jhx666fYyU— Jim Gallagher Jr. (@GallagherJrGC) November 27, 2025
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Golf world remembers Fuzzy Zoeller, one of the game’s great characters
