Building Leaders on and off the Green: Noah Hillaker Wins the 2023 Lester Taylor Leadership Golf Award

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.

Meet Coach Taylor!

Meet Coach Taylor!

What’s your new ICS position?

​I am the new head golf coach!

Where are you from?

I am from La Habra Heights, California. I was born in Idaho Falls and lived in La Habra Heights from 7-17 years old. I graduated from the University of Utah! After college, I worked for a major airline in Los Angeles. Though, I always wanted to move back to Salt Lake City. After many years in L.A., we found a beautiful place in Draper and moved back to the Wasatch Front in 2016.

Where do you go to church?

We attend Corner Canyon Church in Draper.

Tell us about your family!

I got married in 1992 to the beautiful Suzanne Marie. We have two children: London (24) and Suzie (21). Suzanne loves theatre, commercial theatre, and helping others. Suzie "Q" (we call her) goes to school on-line at Arizona State University and works full-time in Studio City at Beverly Glen Deli. She has a ball there and will finish college in May! London went to college in England and graduated in 2019 in International Relations. He is very successful working for two international corporations, one in Canada and one in England.

What is something most people don’t know about you?

Our family loves to travel. We postponed our travelling during the pandemic; but have made up for it this year with trips to Panama, Hilo Hawaii, Germany, Wisconsin, Mexico, and Orlando. Phew! That's a lot of places in one year!

What are you looking forward to most in your new role at ICS?

I am looking forward to helping our ICS students strive to develop strong Christian character through sports (especially through the sport of golf)!

What else would you like for the ICS community to know about you? Fun fact?

I love western movies, the mountain west, Yellowstone, and Zion. I love the outdoors! I think that is why I love golf so much!