Simply put, Curtis Malm’s golf career at Naperville Central was one for the record books. The only playerin conference history to win four individual titles in boys’ golf, Malm swung his way to an impressive andunrepeatable resume. A four-year varsity letter winner, he was named to the All-Conference team threetimes and was a three-time team MVP and two-year captain. The Chicago Sun Times declared him a toprated sophomore and junior, and then a top-ranked amateur in his senior year of high school. As ajunior, Malm took home All-State honors and an IJGA State Championship title. As a senior, he was botha Regional and a Sectional medalist. In four years, Malm won over 24 high school tournaments outsideof conference, regional and sectional play, steadily writing a golf story unlike any other.As the head coach for Malm’s sophomore, junior, and senior seasons, Bob Sterr- a member of theNaperville Central Athletic Hall of Fame himself- had a front row seat to Malm’s dominance; his heartfeltpraise of one of Naperville Central’s most accomplished golfers underscores Malm’s trademark blend ofsteady strength, competitive resolve, and unflappable focus: “When Curtis practiced, he didn’t just seehow far he could hit it, just pounding driver after driver. He practiced shots that helped his ability toscore well. I can remember watching him hit flop shots on the practice green long before I rememberPhil Mickelson doing it. He was amazing. And he enjoyed doing it. That’s what made him extraordinary.”Malm’s coach during his freshman year, Jim Caudill, echoes Sterr’s assessment, noting, “Histemperament has always been his greatest asset. Curtis did not get upset when he hit bad shots. As acoach, it is very hard to teach a golfer to control his temperament. A golfer who can control the anxietythat builds up inside during a four hour round of golf will have the best chance to be a very good golfer.Curtis did not talk about his shots or the round he had just completed. Advice would be offered on howto play a hole or course management only when discussions came up. Players listened to him – he wasdefinitely a quiet leader.”That leadership was invaluable both on the course and on the basketball court, where Malm was also atwo-year varsity letterman for Sterr’s winter squad. Reflecting on his Redhawk athletic history, Malmremembers well the accomplishments, but more importantly the camaraderie. “One of my favoritememories is winning the Geneseo Invitational as a team. We had a special group of guys that spent theweekend playing the best we ever had in a team event. We knew exactly how well we were doing thatday with ‘birdie’ updates flying all over the course. We were excited for each other,” Malm shared. Fromwinning Regionals as a team and “golf practices with my guys” to “knowing my teammates would bethere for me when I got sick on the second tee” and “Friday night home basketball games in front of thebest fans in the area,” life as a Redhawk athlete, surrounded by incomparable teammates, was specialfor Malm. The little things were the most meaningful, the achievements made sweeter by sharing it withloved ones: “Some of my teammates have been my closest friends through life – and will always be mybest friends.”After high school, Malm received a golf scholarship to the University of Colorado at Boulder. In 2000, hewon the Illinois Open as an amateur, competing against a field that included PGA professionals. A five-time National PGA Championship qualifier, he finished tied for 37th at the PGA Tour Qualifying School in2006 and played on the PGA Nationwide Tour and the Canadian PGA Tour. In 2012, he was named bothIllinois PGA Player of the Year and Illinois PGA Assistant Player of the Year. In 2013, he again earnedIllinois PGA Player of the Year honors. Malm was Illinois PGA Match Play Champion in 2012, 2013 and2014, becoming the first player in over twenty-five years to win consecutive titles. He has also been theNaperville Men’s City Champion five times.Malm is a Class A PGA Professional and is the Director of Golf at White Eagle Golf Club. For all of hissuccesses, nothing compares for Malm to the love of his family. He has been married for 16 years to hiswife Jennifer and is proud dad to Patrick, Katie, and Jack.Malm’s advice to Naperville Central student-athletes captures the essence of who he was as a highschool competitor: “Prioritize. As athletes, there is an extra level of demand to be the best athletically,but we also need to be on top of doing well academically. Student athletes need to prioritize their timeto make sure they can give and be their best in everything – including social activities.”That commitment to balance has served Malm well as he has continued to inspire a new generation ofgolfers, all chasing his extraordinary standard of play and character.