R.I.P.: Rory Spears, Veteran Chicago Area Sports Figure

(1960-2025)

Rory Spears, a Chicago sports radio veteran and golf enthusiast, passed away Wednesday at 65 in his Arlington Heights home. 

A founding member of WSCR 670-AM, Spears later worked at ESPN Radio and covered Chicago’s pro sports teams, though golf was his true passion. 

He began covering golf in 1986, eventually playing 589 courses nationwide, aiming for 600. He worked at local clubs like Roy Roy and Chevy Chase in his youth and, more recently, Heritage Oaks and Medinah.

Spear and Le Ziham who covers sports for The Daily Herald co-hosted a golf podcast for three years and the Golfers on Golf Radio show for four, a program he elevated as content director for its companion website. 

Despite a diabetes diagnosis months ago, he seemed to recover, winning an International Network of Golf Media Award in January at the PGA Merchandise Show. A member of ING and the Golf Travel Writers of America, he played 18 holes solo at their recent outing before heading home to Chicago.