St. James’ Knaffle living in moment as golf game continues to blossom

Coaches walk a fine line with high school athletes.

Typically, they’ll build them up mentally and physically, yet at a reasonable pace that doesn’t burn them out or allow them get too far ahead of themselves. In some regards, Denise Noll waved bye-bye to that theory a while back with Smith Knaffle.

The St. James standout and three-time Toast of the Coast Girls Golfer of the Year continues to impress to the point where the longest of long-term goals has already been discussed. But Noll isn’t worried about expectations getting in the way of reality.

“Her personality, I don’t think you’ll see that, either,” Noll said. “She looks to the future and the ultimate goal. She’s in the moment, but also looking at college and maybe pro golf.”

That fine line hasn’t been addressed lightly.

It isn’t just because Knaffle has had a huge amount of success – even though she has. It isn’t even necessarily that she’s displayed a maturity beyond her 14 years (although that, too, is true).

No, Noll’s oft-taboo response has more to do with Knaffle’s top-level starting point combined with steady improvement. And then there’s this: With three years of high school golf in the books, the talented Shark is only at the midway point of her prep career.

“Most freshman don’t win state titles and tournaments,” Knaffle said. “It’s obviously a big deal to be as young as I am and have as much success as I have.”

Taken out of context, her comments may seem as out-of-place as Noll’s about professional golf. However, Knaffle was referencing what St. James did as a whole this fall. The Sharks won the Class AAA Lower State tournament and then went a step further than last year’s runner-up finish in the state finals, winning the entire thing. Knaffle tied for fourth place individually – her third all-state finish. But with all four of the Sharks golfers coming in among the top 19, it was truly a team win.

Knaffle’s excitement over it, even weeks later, came with another strong statement, this one of the verbal variety.

“I told the coaches now that they’ve won one state title with me and my team, they’re stuck with me for three more years until I graduate,” she said.

That may seem like an eternity for a high school freshman. It’s also a time frame that Noll believes will bring even more success for her top player.

If for no other reason, the coach said Knaffle’s hunger to get better hasn’t dissolved one bit.

“I think she still has people she wants to emulate,” Noll said. “I think she’s still too young for the superstar [quality]. Even just watching her play; she’ll hit a green 10 feet from the pin and doesn’t think it’s that close.”

Knaffle doesn’t shy away from the professional golf commentary, although she’s has a different perspective than most high school athletes with big-time goals.

The daughter of a golf course superintendent understands the glitz and glamor comes at a price most aren’t willing or able to pay. She also believes that part of her future should follow earning a college degree – accounting or sports communication, maybe.

That doesn’t stop her from feeling honored any of those other conversations are already taking place.

“It means so much,” Knaffle said. “You don’t always realize how things are going when you’re in the moment and riding the wave.”

This story was originally published January 17, 2016 at 5:13 PM with the headline "St. James’ Knaffle living in moment as golf game continues to blossom."