Building Leaders on and off the Green: Noah Hillaker Wins the 2023 Lester Taylor Leadership Golf Award
Noah Hillaker, a sophomore at Intermountain Christian School, has been awarded the esteemed 2023 Lester Taylor Leadership “Leading by Example” Golf Award.
Noah Hillaker
Dr. Lester Taylor, DDS, a successful dentist in Southern California loved the game of golf. He thrived on competitions by playing on the Hacienda golf traveling team playing in matches all over Southern California. He often spoke about the parallels to hard work and life that the game teaches. In fact, Dr. Taylor had 7-holes-in-one during his life-time.
Dr. Taylor grew up in Spanish Fork, Utah. His parents had limited means; but he worked hard to be a contributor to his family and to the community. Throughout his life, Dr. Taylor mentioned many times that he wanted to support golf for junior players and schools someday. To this end, the family wanted to grant his wishes to support junior golf and started the Lester Taylor Memorial “Leadership-Leading by Example” Award in 2021.
“Noah is an outstanding athlete and young man who excels in sports, school and as a leader,” said Coach Douglas C. Taylor, son of Dr. Lester Taylor.
Coach Douglas is ICS’s Golf Head Coach. The Lions took 3rd place in Region 22 of Utah’s 1A schools this year. Also, Noah competed in the individual competition of the Utah State-Wide 1A Championship in Richfield, Utah and came in 14th place out of a vast field of excellent golfers from all over Utah.
Noah Hillaker with Coach Taylor
Noah not only received the Lester Taylor Leadership award, but also the MVP Award for Lions’ Varsity Golf Team during the 2023 season.
“It was clear who the next recipient should be because of Noah’s outstanding leadership skills and being such a great example among his peers both in the community, school and the golf course. Congrats, Noah!,” said Coach Taylor.