100-Year-Old Navy Vet Makes Golf History In Pleasanton

PLEASANTON, CA — A national program that serves military veterans has graduated its oldest alum — 100-year old Stephen Layton of South Lake Tahoe — from a golf course in Pleasanton. The Northern California PGA Foundation announced Tuesday that Layton, a U.S. Navy veteran, has become the oldest graduate of the PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere). The program introduces golf to military veterans with disabilities to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being.

Layton and fellow veterans were transported to Pleasanton Golf Center for weekly PGA HOPE clinics throughout May and June, prior to their formal graduation from the program.

Led by PGA professionals, PGA HOPE programs are currently being offered at over 90 locations in the U.S. today, impacting more than 2,000 vets annually. The Northern California PGA Foundation is home to one of the most prolific PGA HOPE programs, according to the foundation. The PGA HOPE program, which is fully funded by the foundation, features six- to eight-week instructional golf clinics, followed by a graduation, on-course golfing opportunities, and is offered at no cost to military veterans.

“The Northern California PGA Foundation is extremely proud of all our veterans who participate in the PGA HOPE program, as they are America’s heroes and deserve our support and dedication,” said Nancy Maul, executive director of the Northern California PGA Foundation. “Our program in Northern California is one of the largest in the country and to have Stephen Layton, a 100-year old U.S. Navy veteran, graduate from the program speaks volumes to the commitment of our PGA professionals who give back to the deserving men and women of the military.”

Born in Highlands, New Jersey, Layton was a gunner in the U.S. Navy and fought in the battle of Guadalcanal during World War II, where he was injured by a bomb explosion that earned him a Purple Heart. After the service, Layton spent his career as a switchman for the Southern Pacific Railroad. Today, he resides at the Community Living Center, a part of the Palo Alto Veterans Healthcare System.