BUTLER TWP — Paige Scott was groomed to platy golf — and the Butler freshman has no problem with it.

“I love the game,” she said.

Her game reflects that.

Paige is already a two-time Butler Eagle County Amateur women's division champion. She lost a playoff in August in an attempt to win a third straight title.

She won the Pittsburgh Junior Open — a Hurricane Tour event — by shooting an 90 at Birdsfoot in April.

She placed fifth in the Peggy Kirk Bell Tournament in Virginia last spring. Scott has even played in the U.S. Kids World Championship twice at Pinehurst in North Carolina.

And, yes, she is a high school freshman.

“When Paige was 3, I cut down a set of clubs so she could learn to play,” her father, Gene Scott, said. “She's been at this for a while.”

Paige played six years on the U.S. Kids Tour.

“That tour came to the Pittsburgh area when Paige was 6,” her father said. “It was perfect timing. I took her to Canton to play in some events, too, but she was able to really get a feel for competitive golf.”

Paige agreed.

“Looking back on it, I learned so much from the U.S. Kids Tour,” she said. “Those experiences accelerated my game and I became competitive.

“I remember the first tour event I played in. I was maybe 9 years old. I was nervous.”

Now she's good ... very good.

Paige led the Golden Tornado with a 39.4 average for nine holes this season. She shot below 40 six times in Butler's 13 matches. She was Butler's medalist in every golf match but one.

Maggie Feczko shot a 42 and Paige Scott a 43 against Fox Chapel. Feczko and Scott both shot a team-low 40 against Shady Side Academy.

Butler finished 11-2 this season, 8-2 in section play.

“To average 39 as a freshman is very, very good,” Butler girls golf coach Sarah Zediker said. “Paige's putting is strong and her drives are always in regulation.

“She can hit the ball a long way.”

Paige's father said she “hits 230 yards off the tee with regularity.”

At the WPIAL Individual Championships held at Diamond Run, Scott lost out in a tiebreaker for an alternate spot.

“There were a lot of strong golfers in that field and Paige stayed right with them,” Zediker said. “With three years to play yet and as she continues to improve, there's no telling what Paige may accomplish.”

Scott has been taking lessons and is fundamentally sound on the golf course.

She wants to reach the PIAA Tournament — and wants to take her teammates with her.

“I want us to go as a team. I know we can get there,” she said. “We just missed the school record this year.”

Butler's girls golf record for lowest score in a match is 161. The Tornado shot a 162 against Pine-Richland this season.

Scott shot a season-best 35 in that match. Feczko carded a 37, Chloe Paulisick a 44 and Emilee Altman a 46.

“We want that record,” Scott said. “I want to break the individual school record, too, but I know that won't be easy.”

Marissa DeCola owns the school record with a 31.

“I'm hoping to play Division I college golf,” Scott said. “A lot has to happen between now and then.”