Steven Napora

This is the eighth and last in a series of articles profiling the 2014 inductees into the Butler County Sports Hall of FameBUTLER TWP — Golf was more than a big part in Steven Napora’s life.“He lived for the game,” David Napora, one of his sons, said. “It helped get him through some adversity in his life.”Now it will help his legacy on the course live on. The late Napora will be inducted into the Butler County Sports Hall of Fame during the organization’s annual banquet April 26 at the Butler Days Inn.Napora’s other son, Larry — now director of golf at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio — was inducted into the BCSHOF in 2012.Napora’s brother, John, once played on the PGA Tour.“Golf is big in our entire family,” David said. “Dad was thrilled and so proud when Larry worked at Oakmont and now Firestone.“I’m sure he’s very proud to be joining the Hall, though it’s never something he expected or pursued.”Napora played on one of the first-ever Butler High School golf teams and was captain of the 1936 squad. He finished third in the WPIAL Tournament and 16th at the PIAA Championships that year, becoming the first Golden Tornado golfer to compete and place in either event.“They bought their first house because it was right next to a golf course,” David Napora said. “That was the part that sold my father in agreeing to buy it.”Steven Napora went on to win the Butler Country Club championship in 1956. He finished second in the event four times.He went on to win every BCC tournament at least once, including the Father/Son, Jameson, Grandfather, Fletcher and Senior tournaments.At age 80, Napora teamed with David to win the father/son event at the country club.“He was amazing. No matter what happened to him, he kept coming back to golf and played at a high level,” David Napora said.Napora lost sight in an eye after a cataract operation in 1961, but maintained a stellar career in the sport.He was in an automobile that got struck by a train in Renfrew during the early 1970’s. Napora was thrown through the driver’s side window by the crash’s impact and wound up in intensive care.“He suffered a bad head injury and lost his sense of balance,” David said. “But golf was always a motivating tool for him to bounce back from anything.“He was going to come back and play. That was his mind-set. It fueled him.”Napora shot his age consecutively over a 10-year stretch, from age 72 to 82. He helped to build the original nine holes at Krendale Golf Course as well.“His sister, Mary, married Joe Krenitsky, whose family put the course in,” David said. “My uncle and father both helped build it.”Growing up near Oak Hill Golf Course (where Butler County Community College now sits), Napora used to sift sand all day at the course for 25 cents a day. He gave 20 cents of that money to his parents each day.While serving in World War II, officers would take him along on golf trips, so he could offer them tips or caddy for them.“We learned about that story long after Dad was gone,” David said. “He never told us that one. He was always grateful for the chance to play golf. And he loved playing the game with his sons.“We’re grateful for the chance to play with him.”Tickets for the Hall of Fame banquet are available at www.bcshof.com, any Hall of Fame director, Moses Jewelers at the Clearview Mall, Bill’s Beer Barn, Snack n’ Pack, Parker Appliance in Chicora, Maddalon Jewelers in Zelienople or Saxonburg Drug.