Stanley Richard Graff

AIKEN - Stanley Richard Graff, age 91, died Wed., March 23rd, at the home of his daughter, Eugenia "Chick" (Graff) Bowman, in Aiken, SC Born in Oakland, CA, Mr. Graff was the son of the late Leo and Alma (Hoffman) Graff. He was reared in Oakland and was a graduate of Stanford University. Mr. Graff played football for Stanford during the "Wow Boys" era, when the T-formation was revolutionized and experienced a Rose Bowl victory. During those years Mr. Graff earned his claim to fame by tackling the legendary Jackie Robinson. Mr. Graff was also invited to play on the All American Football Team but declined as he had orders from the Navy to be shipped off to war. While stationed in Casa Blanca, Morocco, he met his future wife, the late Eugenia Stone Cary Graff, originally from Greenville, SC, who was serving in the American Red Cross. After the war, Mr. Graff and a close friend opened Palo Alto Feed and Fuel but his desire for the game of golf ultimately led him to become a golf professional. He accepted his first position at Red Run Golf Club in Royal Oak, MI. He would go on to hold positions at Paradise Valley Country Club, Scottsdale, AZ, Arizona Country Club, Scottsdale, AZ, Desert Forest Golf Course, Carefree, AZ, Makaha Inn and Country Club, Makaha, Hawaii, Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head Island, SC, and lastly Palm Beach Polo and Country Club, Wellington, FL. After retiring, Mr. Graff and his wife moved to Seabrook Island, SC but later moved to their summer home in Cedar Mountain, NC. Mr. Graff has been featured in Golf Illustrated where he was quoted saying "There are more important things than making money. I don't want to be the richest golf pro, or the richest man in a nursing home. I just want reasonable satisfaction and contentment in what I am doing." Mr. Graff was also the author of "So You Want To Play Golf", published in 1974. He was one of the original owners of Gibbs Island, SC and a founding father of the Secession Golf Club, Beaufort, SC. Mr. Graff was an athlete well into his 70's. Golf was his passion and his teachings reflected this, but he also found much pleasure playing the piano and philosophizing with his close friends. He was a patient, kind and gentle soul who believed in "keeping the peace". The "Desiderata" was the creed by which he tried to live his life. In addition to Mr. Graff's parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Eugenia Stone Cary Graff of Cedar Mountain, NC, and one brother, Gordon Graff, of Oakland, CA. He is survived by his two daughters, Eugenia "Chick" (Graff) Bowman, Aiken, SC and Mary Ann (Graff) Hawks, Spartanburg, SC; three grandsons, Dr. Jason Bowman, Gainesville, FL, Noah Bowman, Louisville, TN, Christopher Hawks, Charlotte, NC; one great granddaughter, Holland Joy Bowman, Louisville, TN; one son in law, Curtis Hawks, Spartanburg, SC and one niece and two nephews. A private family memorial will be held at a later date. Mr. Graff's online guest book may be signed at www.shellhousefuneralhome.com. SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Stanley Richard Graff, please visit our flower store.