Nixa High School unveils indoor golf simulators

NIXA--When Nixa High School debuted the Apex Activity Center last year, its 110,000 square foot indoor athletic facility, there was still room for sports, besides football, to have their own space.

One of those units, eagerly waiting their turn, was the boys and girls golf teams. Well, the time has finally come, and their patience has been rewarded with state-of-the-art simulators.

On the second floor of the Apex Center, there are four simulator bays, with giant projector screens. There's also various holes cut into the ground so players can practice their chipping and putting.

Two of the simulators are fully functional, and use Garmin r50 technology to track every shot they hit. This technology also allows players to choose from a number of methods on a "virtual range" to challenge themselves, while they hone their game.

The concept for the simulators was created this past February, got approval in April, then construction began on June 1 and wrapped up July 1. The money used for the project was a mixture of donations and bonds for the $18 million Apex facility.

Head Coach Scott Miller is overjoyed at how impactful this will be for the development of his teams.

"It's a great opportunity for our kids to use, and utilize, and improve year round," said Miller. "I know when I played high school golf we were in a gym on rainy days and we had a little mat and we hit into a net, so this is an extreme opportunity for our kids and our program."

As Coach noted, being able to practice in a climate-controlled environment, especially, when the weather isn't cooperating, gives his athletes a big advantage over the competition.

"I've had boys reach out in the spring and say can we come hit in the winter, so I plan to come in here in the mornings to allow them to get some hits in as well, and now we come get a full practice inside here."

The chief architect for the simulators installation was Addison White, who owns White House Renovations.

"I got asked to build it and had a crazy design idea," said White. I threw it on a napkin next morning, called a good friend at Show Me fabrication, and he said, let's do it."

Even though it only took a month to complete, White admitted it was stressful. He wanted to make sure it was done as close to perfect as could be, so the next generation of golfers could grow their game.

"Golf's a huge part of my life, always has been, especially in the Ozarks. Grew up in Republic, graduated from Evangel playing golf there, played pro for a little while, now I kids growing up in it, so it's cool."

As he spoke about the ways golf has played a central role in his life, White began to tear up. His devotion to "paying it forward" was on his sleeve.

After the project was complete, White was offered and accepted the role of Assistant Coach on the Nixa golf team. His face beaming with pride as he mentioned that.

As more schools in the Ozarks continue to build these behemoth structures, Coach Miller is confident most of them will install similar technology for their golf programs.

"Oh, I know there's talks around other schools of getting these and I think it's just great. It helps the game of golf which is important.

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