November 12, 1998
When head professional Scott Scherger goes to work he whistles all the way there because in his opinion he happens to manage one of the most beautiful and challenging courses in Arizona; Gold Canyon Golf Resort.

"Every hole is a signature hole," Scherger says proudly. "Unlike other courses where you go home remembering maybe one hole, here every hole is a memorable experience."

For some head professionals playing and teaching the game is their number one priority but for Scherger, his course is his main passion.

"Our famous Dinosaur Mountain course has been ranked one of the three top courses in the state," Scherger said. "It's Arizona golf at it's finest. We have breathtaking views of Arizona's legendary Superstition Mountain and four to five different tees at every hole so you can adjust the level of your own challenge. This course measures 6,584 yards from our Diamondback Championship tees and plays to a par 70. It's absolutely beautiful."

Scherger is equally impressed with Gold Canyon Golf Resort's second championship 18 hole course called The Sidewinder.

"This course offers dramatic bunkers, water features, gently rolling fairways and beautiful Sonoran Desert vegetation. You can see families of havalinas and rabbits all over the course. It's as natural as it can get."

For Scherger, promoting his course and improving services for his customers are of paramount importance.

"Golf is more of a business these days," Scherger said. "The competition is stiff. You have to be different than the others and you have to be thinking of more and more ways to make your facility that much more appealing. You want to make people want to come back to your facility and we do that with product and service. We are always asking ourselves what can be done to make the golf experience better."

Scherger said that Gold Canyon is not just a golf course but a resort as well, offering private casitas with individual fireplaces and outdoor spas.

"People used to mine for gold here in the canyon and you can still find some of the old mining houses on the courses," Scherger said. "People can stay overnight and really enjoy their golf at a leisurely and relaxed pace."

As with most golf professionals, Scherger's infatuation with the game began at an early age.

"I started playing golf when I was nine years old," Scherger said. "There was this nine hole course in my town and we would play it twice to make the 18 holes. A soon as I picked up the club and hit the ball I Knew. I was always good at mimicking things and I had watched the golfers on TV. When I played my first game and took my first swing the ball went right down the middle. My dad was so impressed he immediately signed me up for lessons from a local PGA pro. I started learning the game correctly right from the beginning."

Scherger said he played high school golf where he was successful in individual and team competition, later attending the San Diego Golf Academy. He continued his studies and eventually got his Class A PGA card.

"I got my first head pro position at Carmel Mountain Ranch Country Club in San Diego," Scherger said. "In 1997 I became head pro at the Morgan Run Resort and Club in Rancho's Santa Fe. In 1998 I came to Arizona and accepted my position at Gold Canyon Resort. I thought this to be a great opportunity. The area is growing. There's a lot going on here and I wanted to be here at the ground floor when it takes off."

Scherger believes in the importance of the mental game of golf, citing seasoned professionals as prime examples of the power of the mental game.

"Golf is a combination of mental toughness and physical ability," Scherger said. "The mental aspect for me is more important. Look at Marc Omera, a PGA player who won two majors. His success has a lot to do with his experience and mental toughness. Then there is Hal Sutten who is over 40 and who recently won the PGA Tour Championship. This goes to show that there are a lot of older players out there who have what the younger players don't have. It's mental toughness and the ability handle all kinds of situations."

Scherger also believes in lessons and in practice.

"We try to make sure that whatever our students are trying to improve that we correct that challenge and make better golfers out of them," Scherger said. "Better players enjoy the game more and that is what we really want our golfers to be able to do, to enjoy their game more. A lot depends on the amount of time they want to commit to lessons towards improving their game and the amount of practice they are willing to put in. Commitment plays a big role."

Scherger said he has played a few of the Arizona premier courses but his heart remains with Gold Canyon.

"I've played Troon North in Scottsdale and Las Sendas in Mesa, two well known Arizona premier courses," Scherger said. "They are both beautiful courses but to me, Gold Canyon Golf Resort stands right up there with the best of them."

Scherger lives with his wife in a community not far from Gold Canyon Resort and says he's here to stay in Arizona for the long run.

"I love it here," Scherger said. "I love my job and where I work. Every morning I count my blessing driving here. And if anyone wants to know more about Gold Canyon Golf Resort you can look us up at www.goldcanyongolfresort.com.