Basic golfer takes third in division game

By Sean Ammerman

Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008 | midnight

Basic golfer Megan Scharf knew it was her day when she made a chip shot for birdie 30 yards from the pin.

Chipping is not the strongest part of her game, but the shots went her way at the Southeast Division match at Legacy Golf Club on Sept. 25.

"I'm starting to get a lot more of those really good shots," said Scharf, a senior.

Scharf finished third by shooting an 82 (10-over-par) in what was the first 18-hole league match between the Southeast schools.

Most of the girls struggled during the long day, but Scharf stayed consistent. She shot a 40 on the front nine and continued on to what was her best round of high school golf.

"It all fell into place," Scharf said. "I just stayed in play. I was making puts and my approach shots were good."

She placed below Coronado's Melanie Chambers, who shot a 75, and Silverado's Brittany Rizzetto, who shot a 79.

But Scharf is confident she can contend at the Sunrise Regional event later this month. Part of that confidence comes from firing a 1-over-par 37 to win the most recent Southeast match Oct. 7 at The Revere.

She is Basic's only four-year golfer and determined to represent her school against the league's top programs — Silverado won state last year and Green Valley High has a national record for straight matches won.

"She's just a shy girl and she likes to challenge herself in the game of golf," Basic coach Terry Ertman said. "She's dedicated and her family is really involved with her game."

Between working at Black Mountain Golf and Country Club and competing in Southern Nevada Junior Girls Golf Association tournaments, Scharf is constantly on the links.

The result has been an average score that has dropped by six strokes.

Scharf played well enough this summer to be chosen as one of four girls in her age division to compete on the First Tee of Southern Nevada 2008 Travel Team. The team played in the Girls Junior America's Cup in Canada.

"I could have done better but it was a great experience," she said. "I proved to myself that I could play on that level."

After being Basic's lone girl golfer last year, Scharf now has teammates.

The Wolves put together a four-person team for the first time at the Sept. 25 match and finished fifth out of six teams.

Many girls, such as junior Jessica Sewell, are going into the season with virtually no prior golf experience.

"Getting new players has been a struggle," Sewell said. "It was exciting to finally play as a team."

Sean Ammerman can be reached at 990-2661 or [email protected].