STATE COLLEGE – An hour before her 10:40 a.m. tee time Monday, Gracie Scheffler kept herself occupied before it was her turn.

Rather than sitting around prior to the start of the PIAA Golf Championships at Penn State University, Scheffler took the initiative to work on her game.

She spent 25 minutes at the driving range working on her long game, and then for the final 35 minutes she spent time fine-tuning her putting game.

Scheffler relished the opportunity to compete in the tournament after missing out by a single stroke. And she’s making the most of the experience in Happy Valley.

“Day 1 of my time at the state championship was definitely an experience,” said Scheffler. “I was nervous the night before and into the next day, but I was sure that I would be ready to go.

“The course was beautiful and well taken care of, making the playing conditions great. I was happy to get the opportunity to play golf here and represent Northwestern Lehigh.”

Scheffler finished the first round with a 97 on the par-72 course, a score that was between what she shot at leagues (98) and districts (96) this season.

Scheffler is currently tied for 34th with Alex Boring from Conemaugh Township. Madison Koshko, of St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy is atop the leaderboard with a one-over-par 73.

“Putting yourself on the big stage for the first time is an emotional experience,” said Northwestern coach Tim Miller. “As you get into the round you become more comfortable with your golf swing and your foursome.

“No one is given a spot in the state championship; you earn it through district qualifying.”

And it showed as Scheffler battled four straight double bogeys between holes 11 through 14 – after starting on the back nine with her foursome for the day. Once she shook off the nerves, the Northwestern junior regained her composure to finish with a score of 50 at the halfway point thanks to two bogeys and two par shots.

Scheffler found her game and finished with a 47 on the front nine. She rattled off three bogeys, three pars and three double bogeys throughout the final nine holes.

“On the first few holes, I was nervous. I was just trying to get comfortable, which took me a bit into my round,” said Scheffler. “Seeing my scorecard have those higher numbers was intimidating, making me want to work even harder on the rest of the holes.

“But I think that my momentum changed quickly after the back nine was completed. Now that I got a feel for the course, fans, and players, I could be better adjusted.”

Scheffler got her swing “in a better rhythm,” which helped her make several holes for “better scores than before.”

She will tee off at the same time Tuesday, 10:40 a.m., for the second round. But it’s a different course, as Class 2A will take to the White Course at Penn State.

“I plan on going out there with more confidence, and hoping to have less nerves,” said Scheffler. “I also plan on trying to get into a rhythm quicker, so that I can have a smoother round the whole way through. “My dad is also joining me for the second round, which will help me be more focused.”

And while she will have her father there for an added boost of confidence, Miller hopes for nothing but the best for her.

“Gracie is a competitor,” Miller added. “When things aren’t going her way, she competes with class. We look forward from this experience to a higher finish.

“Being one of the 36 best AA high school female golfers is an honor in itself.”

LOOK TO TURN BRONZE TO GOLD … As Round 1 of the PIAA Championships came to an end yesterday, District 11 had a representative leading the way on the Class 2A leaderboard. Alan Evans, of Schuylkill Haven, sits atop the field. The sophomore, who was a bronze medalist at districts, shot a 4-under-par score of 68 to lead the field of over 70-some golfers.

LIONS ON PROWL OF A STATE MEDAL … Moravian Academy’s duo of Emma Xu and Mara Dubacher (District 11 champion) sit tied for 12th and 16th, respectively, in the field for Class 2A female golfers.

CLASS 3A LEADERBOARD … While Dylan Ramsey of Cedar Crest is atop the leaderboard for the Class 3A Boys, Zachary Miller, of Nazareth, is representing District 11 well, and is tied for 10th with a score of two-under-par, 70. On the girls’ side of Class 3A, the Nazareth duo of Camryn Hoff and Allie Tarreto (district champion) sit tied for 14th and tied for 17th, respectively, in their field.