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American pro golfer Fuzzy Zoeller, whose real name was Frank Urban Zoeller Jr, died on November 27, seemingly from a heart attack. He was 74.
According to the Insperity Invitational tournament director Brian Naugle, Zoeller’s daughter, Gretchen, informed him about the death.
Gretchen once accompanied him to the PNC Championship.
Fuzzy Zoeller was married to Diane P. Thornton Zoeller, who died in December 2021, at the age of 69.
The former Masters Tournament winner is survived by his four children, Sunny Zoeller-Stumler, Heidi Hubler, Gretchen Wright, and Miles Zoeller.
Everything about Fuzzy Zoeller’s personal life
Fuzzy Zoeller and Diane P. Thornton Zoeller were married for 45 years before she died four years ago at her home in New Albany, Indiana. Before his wife’s demise, the veteran golfer appeared for a talk, as part of the “VIP Experience with Masters Champion Fuzzy Zoeller,” and shared that Diane was diagnosed with “rapid-stage dementia” in 2013.
He added that the condition “kind of took the wind out of my sails.”
The event was organized and hosted by the DoubleTree Hotel and Conference Center in Zoeller’s hometown.
Diane P. Thorton was the daughter of James “Jim” Thornton and Lorraine Sunderhaus Thornton. She was born in New Albany in September 1952 and grew up with many siblings, including Andy Thornton, Susie Ratliff, Eric Thornton, Bonnie Lee Duley, Todd Jenkinds, and Matt Thornton.
Diane left behind her father, husband, three daughters, one son, multiple grandchildren, three sons-in-law, a daughter-in-law, and her six siblings, according to her obituary on the Dignity Memorial website.
Not much is known about Fuzzy Zoeller’s children.
Fuzzy Zoeller spoke about receiving death threats in 2008
Fuzzy faced a controversy in 1997 when he made a seemingly racist comment toward the up-and-coming golfer Tiger Woods who was on his way to make history at the Augusta National. At the end of his Masters Tournament, Zoeller told CNN:
“That little boy is driving well, and he’s putting well. He’s doing everything it takes to win. So, you know what you guys do when he gets in here? You pat him on the back and say congratulations, and enjoy it, and tell him not to serve fried chicken next year.”
The late golfer began to walk away when he paused and turned to the interviewer and added:
“Or collard greens or whatever the hell they serve.”
Fuzzy Zoeller later claimed that the Tiger Woods remark got him death threats for years to come. In 2008, he shared in an article in Golf Digest that it was the “worst thing I’ve gone through in my entire life.”
“If people wanted me to feel the same hurt I projected on others, I’m here to tell you they got their way. I’ve cried many times. I’ve apologized countless times for words said in jest that just aren’t a reflection of who I am,” the 10-time PGA Tour winner stated.
He concluded, “I have hundreds of friends, including people of color, who will attest to that. Still, I’ve come to terms with the fact that this incident will never, ever go away.”
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USGA CEO Mike Whan paid tribute to the late golfer and remembered him as "one of a kind" who gave the sport "unmistakable joy." Whan also offered condolences to Zoeller's friends and family.
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