Scarberry became state’s top player

Staff Writer

PURCELL — ShaeBug Scarberry wanted to be a cheerleader.

To be fair, she wanted to be like her older sister, who happened to be a cheerleader. But their father, Tony, put a quick stop to that.

A young Scarberry had just informed him that she was going to follow that path when he told her to pick up his golf club and take a few swings outside.

It wasn’t long until Scarberry was at a golf course with her father trying to be like him, mimicking each swing hoping for the same result.

But now she’s likely better.

Scarberry is arguably the top golfer in the state and The Oklahoman’s All-City Girls Golfer of the Year coming off an undefeated senior season in which she won a third state title in four years.

“Undefeated, that was my goal,” Scarberry said. “I played really well throughout the entire season.”

Scarberry won all eight tournaments she competed in. During that run, she helped Purcell become a dominant team to win the Class 3A state championship.

Along the way, she also became the state’s most intimidating player.

One opponent watched Scarberry line up on the first tee box to open the spring and quickly admitted she was nervous.

“I don’t’ know why,” Scarberry said. “I always talk to people and am nice. I try to put it past me and try to play golf.”

Scarberry entered high school hoping to win all four state titles, like her good friend and former Durant star Sydney Youngblood. But an injury as a junior derailed that goal.

Scarberry still recovered and shot no worse than a 74 in a round this spring.

Now, she’s headed to Tulsa, a program that has produced professional golfers such as Melissa McNamara, Nancy Lopez and Stacy Prammanasudh.

Scarberry now wants to be like them.

“The golf program there has been amazing with all of the golfers that have come out of there,” she said.

“Hopefully next year we get to the NCAAs and try to win a national championship. That’s my goal.”