In his 32 seasons as the boys’ golf coach at Waterloo West High School, Don Narveson’s teams achieved unparalleled success.

The Wahawks won an unprecedented nine boys’ state golf titles over four decades, starting in the 1950s. A life member of the PGA of America, Narveson’s teams won more than 300 dual meets and lost just 20. He was honored as national high school coach of the year in 1978.

Five of his players won state medalist honors, including Jack Rule, a two-time winner on the PGA Tour; Clark Burroughs, who won an NCAA title at Ohio State and played on the PGA Tour; Ken Schall, who also played on the PGA Tour and later became one of the best players in Iowa PGA Section history: and Dale Kniss, the state’s first two-time medalist.

“He was just a great motivator,” Schall said of Narveson. “You’d come in after a round and Narv just wanted to know what you shot. He didn’t want any excuses.”

Rule also said he benefited from Narveson’s leadership.

“He probably had more influence on young guys’ lives than anybody I’ve ever met in my 80 years,” Rule said.

Burroughs, an all-American and all-Big Ten player at Ohio State, an NCAA individual champion and later a PGA Tour player, also gave Narveson credit for putting him on the path to success.

“He is the one who really got me started in the game when I was 6 or 7 years old,” Burroughs said of Narveson. “If I ever had any questions about the game, I’d go to him and ask him what I thought.

” Waterloo is a city rich with golf history. And if there was a Mt. Rushmore for golf in this city, Narveson would be on it.

Mr. Narveson was 80 years old when he passed away on September 12, 2010.

• 1978 National Coach of the Year
• Coached Waterloo West to 9 State Titles
• Over 300 Dual meet Victories