If you’re looking for a Nixa golfer who has won a medal at state, we know a guy. And it turns out Noah Naugle is the first Eagle to pull off such a feat. At a school known for athletic accomplishments, it means that much more to him to be in such rarified air. “I got the monkey off my back,” said Noah. “I got my first medal last year. So this year I want to get the first place medal. I know a lot of the alumni and such. Obviously, Nixa’s got a lot of great athletes and it’s cool to add my name to that list.”
Now he’s preparing to join another prestigious group when he plays for Missouri State next year. “With the new conference changes it’s an exciting time to be a Bear,” Noah said. “We should have a good schedule and a good team.”
He’s not waiting to test his skills against the best golfers in the state. When he’s not busy leading Nixa to back-to-back-to back state tournament appearances he’s testing himself at the Missouri Amateur level, ranking in the top-15 in the state.
“I’ve played competitive golf for a long time now,” Noah said. “So it’s cool to get to play in all these events and travel to some cool places.”
Noah’s coaches say his ability to overcome adversity is his biggest strength. “I just try to have fun,” Noah said. “I don’t really try to get too high when it’s going well or too low when I’m playing well. I just try to have fun. I could be in school right now. There’s a lot of things I could be doing besides being on a golf course.”
So speaking of fun on the golf course, is Noah more of a Caddy Shack or Happy Gilmore guy? “Ooh, I think I have to go with Happy Gilmore,” Noah said. “I’m a big Adam Sandler guy.”
He’ll get the ball to it’s home. And there’s just one thing left for him to do. “I want to win a state championship,” Noah said. “We’re going to be going to state as a team which is really cool. So yeah, the goal is to win an individual and team state championship.”
He’s already the best golfer in school history. Soon he could be the best in the state.
