Columnist Victoria Sun: High school players make grade at amateur tourney

Victoria Sun

Wednesday, March 21, 2001 | 10:27 a.m.

Victoria Sun's golf column appears Wednesday. Reach her at 259-4078 or victoria@lasvegassun.com

Three of the top 10 finishers at the Southern Nevada Amateur that concluded Sunday at Sunrise Vista at Nellis Air Force base are high school students.

Gorman High School sophomore Jonathan Taruc finished in a tie for second with Bonanza's Chad Fosburg and Green Valley High senior Drew Scott was seven strokes behind.

You grow up fast when you're playing with adults.

About two years ago, Scott played in his first Southern Nevada Amateur tournaments replete with adults and only a handful of teenagers.

Scott's first lesson was in being on time.

Oh, he got to the course on time (even drove himself there).

The tee box was another story.

"I was practicing on the range and just didn't hear my name called," Scott said. "When I got there, they started telling me where to go and what to do.

"There was no goofing around. It was kind of scary because I didn't know anybody there."

Another enduring lesson Scott says he learned that day was how to stay focused.

Adults don't necessarily like to talk about last night's homework or the latest Kid Rock CD between holes -- or shots.

"There's a lot more competition with the older guys," Green Valley's No. 1 golfer explained. "They're more mature and they get angry easier.

"It forces me not to do much talking and just play my game."

So last Sunday, Drew was happy to be put in a group with Taruc, for several reasons.

"We know each other well," Drew said. "It's a lot of fun playing with him because we're vying for the top spot of the best junior golfer in Vegas."

So who's better?

Drew laughed before joking, "I am."

Taruc, who fired a tournament-low first-round 67 on Sunday, had a deceivingly diplomatic response to Scott's remark.

"I can't take anything away from Drew, he's a great player," Taruc said before adding slyly, "but the results are in and I beat him.

"I'm just kidding, there's not a rivalry here."

Taruc has to sit out this season because he transferred to Bishop Gorman from Clark.

He said he began playing in amateur tournaments when he was 13.

"Sometimes I saw some people looking at me like I didn't belong because I was young, but I worked hard to prove I did belong," Taruc said."You have to grow up out there.

"It makes me tougher because I learn a lot more. It's a great experience going to these tournaments."

Dan Kelley, of Blaine, Minn., had the same success on hole No. 1. He used his pitching wedge to ace the hole from 92 yards.