Rick Patrick
rick@greenepublishing.com
Megan Schofill, an Aucilla Christian Academy and Auburn University graduate, can add another accolade to her long list of accomplishments on the greens. Schofill recently won the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship golf match, at Bel-Air Country Club, in Los Angeles, Calif. The U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship is the top amateur golf tournament in the nation and arguably one of the top tournaments in the world.
This year marked Schofill’s sixth time playing in the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship, and she is currently ranked number 21 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings. She had previously made it to the top 16 in the tournament once before. In 2023, she was named to the All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) First Team. In the 2021-22 season, she was the runner-up in the SEC Championship and was named an honorable mention All-American with five top-20 finishes to her credit. She was a runner-up in the 2022 North and South Women’s Amateur match at Pinehurst.
In the final championship round, Schofill faced a long-time friend, Latanna Stone, a Louisiana State University student from Riverview, Fla. In that final round, Schofill and Stone were tied through the first four holes, before Stone went up one stroke with a birdie on the par-three fifth hole. Schofill regained the lead on the eighth hole, with a one-under-par four-stroke. The match remained close until the 15th hole, when Schofill took the lead for good, finishing the tough 33-hole match with a four stroke lead and her first U.S. Women’s Am. title. “I felt like I hit the ball well all week,” said an excited Schofill on her way home. It was nice to have my boyfriend C.J. [Easley] caddy for me. He helped keep me calm throughout the tournament. I was able to work with my coach, David Jackson, all summer, so I felt very well prepared going into the tournament.”
In the tournament quarterfinals, Schofill faced off with future Auburn teammate Anna Davis, from Spring Valley, Calif. “That was a very intense match,” recalled Schofill. “[Davis] is a very good golfer. I did get a chance to get to know her a little bit. She’s a very nice person.” In that match, Schofill held a one-stroke lead until the 15th hole, when Davis tied the score. Then Schofill pulled ahead with a par-three on the 16th hole and a birdie on the 17th to take the match with a two-stroke lead.
Schofill said that even though the competition at this level is high, the competitors still become friends. “How you treat each other will be remembered long after golf is done.”
“I do appreciate everyone for all the kind messages,” said Schofill. “Without the love and support of everyone in Monticello, I would have never been able to get to this point.”
The future looks very bright for the 22-year-old Monticello native. She has one more year of eligibility at Auburn University, where she recently graduated with a degree in communications. With her U.S. Women’s Am. title, she receives exemptions into some of the most prestigious tournaments in the world, including the 79th U.S. Women’s Open Championship at Lancaster (Pa.) Country Club, the 2024 Chevron Championship, the AIG Women’s British Open, as well as an invitation to the 2024 Augusta National Women’s Amateur. Schofill plans to retain her amateur status for the rest of the year, with plans to turn pro sometime in 2024.
“I have no doubt that Megan will be very succesful at anything she decides to do, whether that’s professional golf or not,” said Coach Jackson. “There’s a lot more to Megan than just golf, and she’s really good at golf.”
Megan is the daughter of Billy and Paulette Schofill, of Monticello.