Singer-songwriter and avid sports fan Toby Keith has died. He was 62.
Keith, who was battling stomach cancer, died “peacefully” on Monday surrounded by his family, according to a statement posted on the country singer’s website. “He fought his fight with grace and courage,” the statement said. He was diagnosed in 2021.
Keith revealed his diagnosis in a June 2022 Instagram post, noting he “spent the last 6 months receiving chemo, radiation and surgery.”
His breakout music career included his overt patriotism on post-9/11 songs like “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue,” and boisterous barroom tunes like “I Love This Bar” and “Red Solo Cup.” He had a powerful booming voice, a tongue-in-cheek sense of humor and range that carried love songs as well as drinking songs.
Among his 20 No. 1 Billboard hits were “How Do You Like Me Now?!,” “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” “As Good As I Once Was,” “My List” and “Beer for My Horses,” a duet with Willie Nelson.
In addition to his talent with a guitar and microphone, Keith was an avid sports fan and golfer. He and legendary coach Barry Switzer own the private Belmar Golf Club in Norman, Oklahoma, near Keith’s home.
We are gutted to hear the passing of #TobyKeith. He was a true Patriot! I’ll always remember him joining our @SolheimCupEuro after party in 2017. He was very supportive of @ANNIKA59. We lost a great one who loved his family, golf, football and his country. RIP ❤️🙏 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/K4vzJOSKyp
— Mike McGee (@MikeMcGeeAnnika) February 6, 2024
During his career, Keith had spent numerous occasions playing in pro-ams and spending time with the best golfers in the world. He also hosted an annual Toby Keith & Friends Golf Classic to raise money for local charities, oftentimes raising more than $1 million per event.
He hosted the Schooner Fall Classic at Belmar every September, a women’s Division I college golf tournament. The trophy? A signed guitar.
Then there’s Keith’s 2017 song, “S—-y Golfer,” which if you haven’t listened to it, take a couple minutes to do so as it encapsulates golf in a funny and comedic way.
Here’s a look at photos of Keith throughout the years in the golf world.
Toby Keith
(L-R) Brett Favre shows Toby Keith where his tee shot went on the 10th hole in…
(L-R) Brett Favre shows Toby Keith where his tee shot went on the 10th hole in the celebrity foursome during round two of the American Family Insurance Championship at the University Ridge Golf Course on June 22, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
Toby Keith
Singer Toby Keith walks off the tee on the 17th hole during the first round of…
Singer Toby Keith walks off the tee on the 17th hole during the first round of the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions at Tranquilo Golf Course at Four Seasons Golf and Sports Club Orlando on January 17, 2019 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)
Toby Keith
Steve Stricker (L) and Toby Keith celebrate on the 16th green during Round One of the…
Steve Stricker (L) and Toby Keith celebrate on the 16th green during Round One of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at Spyglass Hill Golf Course on February 8, 2018 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Toby Keith
Brett Favre, Andy North and Jack Nicklaus pose for a photo before they tee off on…
Brett Favre, Andy North and Jack Nicklaus pose for a photo before they tee off on the 10th hole in the celebrity foursome during round two of the American Family Insurance Championship at the University Ridge Golf Course on June 22, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
Toby Keith
Musician Toby Keith reacts to his drive off the 17th hole during the 3M Celebrity Challenge…
Musician Toby Keith reacts to his drive off the 17th hole during the 3M Celebrity Challenge prior to the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am at Pebble Beach Golf Links on February 10, 2016 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Toby Keith
Toby Keith plays his tee shot on the fourth hole during the first round of the…
Toby Keith plays his tee shot on the fourth hole during the first round of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am at the Spyglass Hill Golf Course on on February 11, 2016 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Toby Keith
Toby Keith and Brett Favre react as Jack Nicklaus watches his tee shot on the 10th…
Toby Keith and Brett Favre react as Jack Nicklaus watches his tee shot on the 10th hole in the celebrity foursome during round two of the American Family Insurance Championship at the University Ridge Golf Course on June 22, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
Toby Keith
Musicians Toby Keith and Colt Ford talk on the 1st tee box during the 3M Celebrity…
Musicians Toby Keith and Colt Ford talk on the 1st tee box during the 3M Celebrity Challenge prior to the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am at Pebble Beach Golf Links on February 10, 2016 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Todd Warshaw/Getty Images)
Toby Keith
Musician Clay Walker, Musician Huey Lewis, Comedian Bill Murray, Actor Josh Duhamel, Musician Kenny G, and…
Musician Clay Walker, Musician Huey Lewis, Comedian Bill Murray, Actor Josh Duhamel, Musician Kenny G, and Musician Toby Keith hold up trophies at the 18th hole during the 3M Celebrity Challenge prior to the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am at Pebble Beach Golf Links on February 10, 2016 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Toby Keith
Steve Stricker (left) and Toby Keith (right) smile on the second hole during the third round…
Steve Stricker (left) and Toby Keith (right) smile on the second hole during the third round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament at Pebble Beach Golf Links. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
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