In January, Peter Oosterhuis announced that he was retiring from from broadcasting for CBS and Golf Channel. At the time, observers did not think much about the announcement other than the fact that Oosterhuis was 67 and his contract with CBS was up. The thinking behind the announcement was that he wanted to spend more time with his family. But now we know the reasons behind his sudden retirement.
In a Golf World article, Oosterhuis said he has early on-set Alzheimer’s disease. He was diagnosed in July of last year, but continued his CBS duties through the end of its season. He did not go public until he and his wife Ruth Ann revealed the news during a fundraising event in May held by his friend Jim Nantz.
In the Golf World article, Oosterhuis said he noticed that he was suffering from memory loss during broadcasts. He went to a neurologist near his Charlotte home and it was then when he learned of the diagnosis.
Oosterhuis said to Golf World, “Maybe in the course of my commentary, I wasn’t giving a lot of information like I used to; I would just talk about what’s on the screen. But I didn’t feel like I had those things ready in my mind to call on to make a point, like I used to.”
But Oosterhuis remains positive as he continues to play golf and maintain a regular routine, “I don’t think of it as a bad break,” said Oosterhuis, “at least not yet.”
While Oosterhuis is no longer on television, he still can be heard on Sirius XM on Saturdays. He hopes to participate in a clinical drug trial at the Nantz National Alzheimer’s Center in Houston founded by Jim Nantz and the Houston Methodist Neurological Center.
On a personal note, my father has Alzheimer’s and I have seen how destructive the disease can be on memory and on moods. As Oosterhuis deals with Alzheimer’s, it will be a long ordeal for both him and his family, but having the best care and doctors will help as he goes down this path.
We wish the best to Oosterhuis and his family.
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