Monett sophomore Jaxon Bailey knew golf was his game at an early age.
“I feel like I’ve been playing golf pretty much my whole life,” Jaxon said. “Ever since I could walk it’s always been a part of my life.”
His coach knew early on too. “First time I met him,” said Monett Head Coach Brian Cox. “I remember the first time I saw him out here playing he was little. I was like, ‘Wow, check that kid’s golf swing out.'”
Now in just his second year of high school, he’s leading the Cubs to new heights. They’re a threat to win every tournament, but it wasn’t always that way. “There wasn’t a whole lot of reasons to stick around for an awards ceremony at the end of the tournaments,” Cox added.
Jaxon has won six tournaments including districts and his game is rubbing off on his teammates. All five earned All-Conference honors this year. It’s something that means a lot to Jaxon. “The team is most important to me right now,” he said.
That was on full display at the recent Big 8 Conference Tournament. Jaxon won the tournament, but the Cubs fell just short as a team. “I guarantee he would trade winning an individual title for our team to have won,” Cox said.
Now, after leading his team to the state tournament in his freshman year, there’s plenty of time left for Jaxon to achieve those team goals again, and hopefully, he’ll achieve some personal ones as well.
“Hopefully getting to play golf in college,” Jaxon said. “Taking the team to the state tournament again and winning a state championship.”
Whatever happens at the biggest tournament this year, Jaxon has already left his mark on the program. “We’re all use to it now, that’s for sure,” Cox said, with a laugh.
Plus, Jaxon’s high school career isn’t even half over.
