The sports world and Northern California golf lost a friend with the recent passing of legend John Brodie.
For many fans, Brodie, who died Jan. 23 at the age of 90, will always be connected with the San Francisco 49ers and for good reason. From 1957 to 1973, Brodie was the heartbeat of the Niners. He’d win the NFL Most Valuable Player award in 1970 and at the time of his retirement, had the third most passing yards in the league all-time, eclipsed only by Johnny Unitas and Fran Tarkenton.
Football, however, wasn’t the only sport where Brodie excelled.
A native of Oakland, Brodie was also an accomplished golfer, leading him to be inducted into the NCGA Hall of Fame in 2023.
Brodie was introduced to the golf by his father, Aloysius Brodie, and learned the game in part by caddying at Lake Chabot and Claremont Country Club, along with participating in youth events at local links such as Lincoln Park in San Francisco.
Turned out, his golf swing was as blessed as his throwing arm, so much so that Bing Crosby took notice. As a teen, the Crosby and Brodie boys spent summers playing golf at Hayden Lake Country Club. “If you play like that, I’ll invite you to my tournament,” Crosby had told him. Bing followed up on his promise and at the age of 21, Brodie started in his first Crosby Invitational at Pebble Beach Golf Links—while still also a member of the Stanford Golf Team.
In his time at Stanford, Brodie competed in two NCAA Championships for the Cardinal. After graduation, despite being taken in the first round of the NFL draft, Brodie continued to follow his passion for competitive golf. During the NFL offseason, he took his athleticism to the PGA Tour, where he played from 1959 to 1961. At times, his traveling roommate was NCGA Hall of Famer and fellow Bay Area native Tony Lema, who won the 1964 British Open.
In 1970, Brodie won the Crosby Pro-Am title playing with partner Bob Rosburg, shooting 1-under on his own ball over the 72-hole tournament. At the AT&T Tournament many years later, the California Golf Writers Association honored Brodie with the “Jack Lemmon” Ambassador of Golf Award.
Following his retirement from football in 1973, Brodie was a leading sports commentator for 12 years at NBC Sports where he not only called football but was one of the earliest color commentators for televised golf.
But he still carried his passion for golf. As soon as Brodie turned 50, he retired from his lucrative position at NBC Sports with his eyes set on joining the newly formed PGA Senior Golf Tour (now PGA Tour Champions). From 1985 to 1998, he’d notch a dozen top 10 finishes and win the 1991 Security Pacific Senior Classic, defeating 1969 Masters champion George Archer and eight-time PGA Tour winner Chi Chi Rodriguez in a playoff.
Brodie, whose wins also include the 1983 NCGA Mid-Amateur, became the first athlete from another sport to win a PGA Tour-sanctioned event.
And with all of his athletic achievements spanning five decades, Brodie was instrumental in unselfishly providing his personal resources and support for many of the top amateur golfers in Northern California during their quest to become elite champions. His generosity and mentorship extended around the entire region, to help players reach their full potential in competition.
His exemplary leadership and character off the course led to him in 2010 being the first white individual to be inducted into the African-American Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame.
The NCGA wishes its best to the Brodie family.