ROCHELLE — Megan Thiravong is just days away from making her high school golf debut, but the 14-year-old is already making a name for herself.

After qualifying for the subregional tournament of the Drive, Chip & Putt Championship earlier this summer, Thiravong dominated a four-woman field to win the Ladies Club Championship at Fairways Golf Course this past weekend. The Lady Hub standout was in firm control throughout the competition, scoring a 76 over her first 18 holes before cooling off with an 85 in her second round.

“It’s an honor to be able to compete at this level and play against experienced golfers,” Thiravong said. “I've worked hard all summer to prepare for various competitions and to achieve most of my set goals.  It was great to finally shoot below the 80s at Fairways Golf Course.”

Thiravong finished with a final score of 161, while Joanna Sharpe placed second with a 175 and Natalie Fenwick took third with a 178. Watsana Thiravong, Megan’s mother, landed in fourth place with a 188. Megan was forced to withdraw from the Fairways Junior Club Championship earlier this summer due to an illness, but she said she was excited not only to win the Ladies Club Championship, but to surpass her mother as well.

“I finally beat my mother who has waited 12 years for me to achieve this goal,” Megan said. “She has been my coach, my mentor and my cheerleader throughout my younger years as a golfer… Moving forward, this win will help boost my confidence and achieve new goals.  I hope that after winning the club champion, I will now have the ability to shoot lower scores and play better under pressure.”

In preparation for the tournament this past weekend, Thiravong said she worked on her short game with local golf coach Brian Silvers. She said her putting was a big reason she was able to build an early lead over her competitors.

“My short game was instrumental in helping me win the Ladies Club Championship,” she said. “I was able to beat out the competition on the first day by leading with five points.  My opponents were tough, and in the beginning we were back and forth.  I was able to break away by staying focused and following through with my swings.”

Thiravong is one of several Rochelle Township High School golfers who will face off against Freeport and Dixon on Thursday in their first triangular meet of the 2017 season. She may be a freshman, but Thiravong is learning quickly under the direction of Hubs golf coach Glen Mehrings and senior Noah Griffith, who Thiravong credited as two of the people who have helped her grow throughout the summer, along with her aunt, Connie Agnos.

“Winning the club championship will help boost my confidence for this year's high school golf season,” she said. “I can now set a new goal and work harder than this summer to achieve it.”