Kentucky golfer Cullan Brown died Tuesday, less than one year after being diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer in his left thigh. He was 20.
“Our hearts are simply devastated over the loss of our brother Cullan,” said Kentucky head coach Brian Craig in a release. “I have personally never known a more special or amazing young man. He was simply the most gifted person I have ever coached. He could literally do anything with excellence, but his greatest gift was the way he loved the Lord and loved people. That is a tremendous legacy to leave behind and one that will last forever within our UK golf family.”
Only weeks after Brown made the cut at the PGA Tour’s Barbasol Championship, finishing 10 under, the team announced that he would be stepping away from the 2019-20 season to start chemotherapy.
Brown, a native of Eddyville, Kentucky, made seven starts for the Wildcats and garnered four top-20 finishes. His opening 64 at the Mason Rudolph tied for the lowest 18-hole score in the Craig era. His 54-hole total of 206 tied for the best mark of the season.
Brown devoured books, particularly Westerns, reading as many as four each tournament trip. An excellent cook, the Wildcats looked forward to his homecooked meals on the road. In high school, the brisket he made for an FFA fundraiser was so popular that he started selling his own seasoning.
“Everybody in western Kentucky has some Cullan rub,” laughed LPGA player Emma Talley, one of Brown’s closet friends.
Talley and Brown grew up 10 minutes apart in western Kentucky. Eddyville has one blinking light, Talley said, while her native Princeton has four stoplights. She referred to Brown as “the mayor” because his infectious personality made him one of the area’s most cherished figures.
“He’s the most beloved kid I’ve ever had,” Craig once told Golfweek, “times 20 probably.”
All I can hope for is that my son grows up to be half the young man that Cullan was.Truly devastated to hear this and our thoughts are with he and his family.Absolutely one of the most delightful humans I have ever had the chance to meet!🙏🙏 https://t.co/47PqqV5L2s
— Chris Malloy (@coachmalloy12) August 5, 2020
When Brown got sick, teammate Jay Kirchdorfer started GoFundMe page to help ease the family’s financial concerns. Donations surpassed $25,000 in six days. It’s now over $56,000. Both the Kentucky men’s and women’s teams had the hashtag #B4B – “Birdies for Brownies” stitched onto their clothing last season to honor Brown.
Craig told Golfweek that he’d never recruited anyone harder, driving four hours – one way – just to watch a one-hour lesson.
“I cannot properly put into words how much I loved Cullan and love his family,” Craig said. “Our entire team has been blessed to have had him as a member of our family even though it was cut way too short. For as long as I coach at the University of Kentucky, I will make sure our young men know of Cullan’s legacy and impact on every one of us. May God comfort and bless the Browns during this difficult time.”
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