Singapore: Tributes have been paid to former Asian Tour Chief Executive Officer Josh Burack who has passed away at the age of 54.

Burack, who headed the Asian Tour between 2016 and 2018, passed away in Brisbane surrounded by family and friends. He had been battling pancreatic cancer for nine months.

In a 32-year sports industry career, Burack was instrumental in fostering landmark media-rights and sponsorship deals across Asia, as well as forging important strategic partnerships – including with the DP World Tour – during his time as CEO and Commissioner of the Asian Tour.

The Asian Tour issued a statement saying: “We were saddened to hear of Josh’s passing. Many partners and friends of the Asian Tour have reached out to convey their condolences to the Burack family. Our thoughts are with them.”

Speaking about his passing, Guy Kinnings, Chief Executive Officer of the DP World Tour, said: “Josh Burack was a visionary sports industry leader and a friend to all who had the pleasure of working with him.

“His energy, insight, and belief in the power of partnerships helped to build the game of golf throughout Asia. He will be greatly missed, but his legacy will continue.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to Josh’s family, friends, and colleagues.”

After graduating in 1992 from American University in Washington DC, where he was a part of the tennis team, Burack spent the first 10 years of his career in multi-media production.

He joined World Sport Group (now part of Sportfive) in 1997 as supervising producer for the ‘Asia Sport’ programme before being recruited by IEC at the start of 2000 as Director of the APAC region.

Burack remained with IEC for 4½ years following its 2007 sale to Lagardère before taking a sabbatical aged 40 to study for a Masters in business administration at the National University of Singapore.

He returned to the industry in late 2012 with Dentsu Sports Asia (DSA) in Singapore as Senior Vice-President and Head of TV, Media and Sponsorship. He controlled the profit and loss for all of DSA’s media rights projects, including the Olympic Games media rights sales in 22 Asian territories.

Following his tenure at the Asian Tour, Burack joined Zeus Sports Marketing (ZSM) in October 2018. Through ZSM’s consulting arm, Burack served as senior consultant for the sports division at Dentsu Inc, working on media rights sales for the Beijing 2022 and Paris 2024 Olympics, the 2024 Copa América, 2026 Asian Games, World Aquatics and World Athletics.

Burack is survived by his wife Michiko, son Zack and daughter Mia.