Longtime Chicago-based sports journalist, golf reporter, and radio host Rory Spears was found dead this week at just 65 years old.
The news was shared Thursday night, with Illinois Golfer announcing Spears was found dead in his condominium by Arlington Heights police that morning, with the cause unknown. According to his obituary, Spears died on Wednesday.
“Rory was an avid lover of all things sports from a young age, and turned that passion into a lifelong career as a sports reporter/journalist,” the obituary reads. “He was particularly passionate about golf, and was proud of the fact that he was able to play virtually every major golf course in America, including recording his only career hole-in-one on Pinehurst No. 6 in North Carolina. Rory recently became an eight-time International Network of Golf (ING) national award winner for his golf reporting. He was also happy that he was able to cover a championship for every major Chicago sports team over the course of his career.”
In the wake of his death, several Chicago sports media members have offered condolences and shared memories of Spears.
Very sad to hear about the passing of Rory Spears @GogBlogGuy a ’90s Score guy. Rory hustled & was resourceful. He was gentle, kind. When columnist Gene Seymour died, Rory rolled up his sleeves to assist w benefits. I trust we’ll do the same for him. @ZiehmLen @Schumouse
— Dan McNeil (@DannyMacShow) April 4, 2025
Rory Spears was as gentle, laid-back & easy-going as a peaceful round of golf on a sunny day. Like we all wish, happy he got to turn his passion into a living, & what it’s like to play the great courses in this country. Local golf, family, friends & colleagues will miss him. RIP.
— Chris Boden (@BodenTweets) April 4, 2025
https://t.co/BsSCTMX8hx Rory Spears, a fixture in Chicago sports radio and a golf devotee, passed away this week. He’ll be missed. #golfersongolf #cdga #illinoispga #westerngolf #inggolf
— Len Ziehm (@ZiehmLen) April 4, 2025
For the last two decades, Chicago sports fans have heard Spears host his Golfers on Golf Radio every weekend, most recently on WNDZ. Spears’ radio career also included stops at WSCR and NBC Sports Radio.
Spears launched the GOG Blog (Golfers on Golf blog) more than a decade ago, and his last post was on March 24.
About Brandon Contes
Brandon Contes is a staff writer for Awful Announcing and The Comeback. He previously helped carve the sports vertical for Mediaite and spent more than three years with Barrett Sports Media. Send tips/comments/complaints to bcontes@thecomeback.com