Ryan Kayton: Manager of Adaptive Golf MGA; Making Golf Accessible!
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Ryan was first introduced to golf at a young age, and it quickly became a core part of who he is. What began as a fun way to bond with family and enjoy the outdoors soon evolved into a powerful vehicle for personal growth, a career and a way to give back and help create an inclusive community that reflects the Better Days mentality.
Playing competitively in high school and later at St. Joseph’s University, Ryan discovered how to manage pressure, build mental strength, and embrace the game’s demands. His short game and course management became his strongest assets not because they came easy, but because he learned to think his way through each round, minimize mistakes, and stay composed under pressure. Over time, he developed the ability to adapt mentally, even when things weren’t going his way, putting himself in numerous scoring positions in every round he played.
Golf helped Ryan navigate some of the most difficult moments of his life—emotionally and mentally. Diagnosed at a young age with a specific learning disability and severe Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Ryan never felt like he fit into a traditional classroom. But he never let that stop him. He worked twice as hard, showing up early for extra help, staying late, and constantly seeking support. Success didn’t come easy—it was earned and Ryan took pride in that effort.
For Ryan, success used to mean tournament scores and trophies. Now, it’s about creating opportunities—for himself and others—to grow, be seen, and make a difference. He’s proud of his journey: playing high-level college golf, earning his bachelor’s degree, and completing his MBA in marketing. These milestones represent every early morning, every late night, every moment someone doubted him—and the work he put in to prove them wrong.
There’s a unique fire that comes from being underestimated. Ryan credits that drive to both his doubters and his biggest supporter—his mom. He describes her as his greatest role model, someone who showed strength and grace while never allowing him to use his disability as an excuse. She taught him to lead with empathy and to never let anyone else define his potential.
That mindset translated into golf. The game gave him a place to quiet his mind, be present, and learn patience. It became his therapy, his reset button. Golf gave him identity and balance—something to hold onto during the tough days.
The game also brought its share of challenges. The mental demands of golf were a challenge for Ryan, especially with ADHD. Staying focused and present wasn’t always easy—but instead of seeing that as a setback, he viewed it as a gift. Golf didn’t cater to his strengths; it helped build them.
Professionally, Ryan has faced challenges—particularly in his mission to make golf more inclusive. As a sport rooted in tradition, golf can be slow to evolve, and creating meaningful opportunities for underserved or misunderstood communities requires persistence. But for Ryan, that challenge is exactly what fuels his passion. Today, he manages the Adaptive Golf Program for the Metropolitan Golf Association, where he helps individuals of all abilities find a sense of belonging, build confidence, and discover purpose through the game.
His journey has come full circle: from learning to swing a club as a kid to now creating an environment for others to feel the same joy, freedom, and confidence that golf gave him. One standout memory came during a clinic he organized when a participant with autism—who hadn’t spoken much before—smiled and high-fived him after a pure shot. “Pure joy,” Ryan said.
Whether it’s through a USGA Adaptive Qualifier or a local clinic with a partner school, Ryan sees each event as a chance to witness growth, resilience, and connection. Golf may be seen as a game of precision, but for Ryan, it’s really a sport of creativity and possibility. Working with individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities has been one of the most humbling and fulfilling parts of his career. It’s where, he says, “the soul of the game lives.”
Ryan lives the Better Days mission every day. He believes “Better Days” means possibility—the belief that your present struggle doesn’t define your future. Facing ADHD and a learning disability, Ryan always believed in better days, even when they felt out of reach. He had to fight through doubt, setbacks, and internal criticism. But golf gave him direction and purpose, and a place to improve a little bit each day—especially in moments when he felt like he didn’t belong anywhere else.
Better Days creates that same sense of belonging. It’s about showing up, pushing through, and holding onto the belief that something meaningful is on the other side of the struggle. That’s been Ryan’s motto throughout his life and career. From inspiring coaches to his current work with adaptive golf, he lives by values like integrity, humility, and purpose, striving to make each day better!
Through the Adaptive Golf Academy, Ryan continues to live out the Better Days mission. It’s a place where people aren’t just accepted—they’re celebrated. Every swing is an act of courage. Every clinic is a step toward becoming a better version of yourself. In that space, Better Days isn’t just a message on a hat. It’s something you can see in real time—and Ryan is proof of that.
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