January 26, 2018
NCGA Mourns Loss of Former Director Leonard Kirtley
Northern California golf and Bay Area juniors lost a huge supporter with the recent passing of Leonard Kirtley.
Kirtley, a veteran of World War II under General George S. Patton who died Jan.17 at the age of 94, served on the NCGA Board of Directors from 1993-2000.
Affectionately known as ‘Googie’, the West Oakland native discovered golf at the age of 39 when he played his first round at Golden Gate Fields. He’d later give back to the game by becoming a staunch supporter of junior golf in the Oakland area through his involvement with the Lake Chabot Golf Academy and Metropolitan Junior Golf Program.
Among Kirtley’s many successes was the Googie and Friends Fundraiser tournament, co-founded by Larry Reid and held annually at Metropolitan GC to raise funds for Oakland youth golfers.
“Leonard was a great guy,” said 1994 NCGA President and friend John Nakamura. “He was one of the best. The NCGA was fortunate to have him as a Board member.”
A service for Kirtley will be held this Sunday, Jan. 28 at Metropolitan GC from noon to 3 p.m.
-NCGA Staff
