Taylore Karle: The 15-year-old sophomore at Notre Dame Academy pulled off her biggest win this past weekend, holing a 15-foot birdie putt on the final hole to capture the PING Phoenix Junior Championship at the Karsten Course at Arizona State. The American Junior Golf Association tournament featured 84 of the nation’s elite, representing 18 states as well as Mexico and Canada.

In what boiled down to match play, Karle prevailed by one stroke over Angela Park, the No. 3 ranked amateur in the country who is skipping college and going straight to LPGA Qualifying School. “Angela is a great player -- always one of the ones to beat -- so I’d call it a stepping stone for me,’’ said Karle, whose closing 70 left her at 8-under 205.

Asked how many victories are now on her resume, the good-natured Karle quipped: “I don’t know, I’ve lost count. Maybe 40 or 50.’’ Then again what would you expect from someone who captured the state Class 4-A championship as a 14-year-old freshman?

It’s an amazing story, as Karle moved from Dallas to Scottsdale two years ago with the sole purpose of playing golf year-round along with her brother, Austyn, who also is a talented player in his junior year at Notre Dame. Taylore, who works with Jim Dieters at Desert Mountain, is currently ranked No. 20 in the country, but according to her, “I don’t believe in the rankings.’’

No, she just goes out and wins, as her first AJGA victory came earlier this summer in Lubbock, Texas. That was shortly before she turned 15 in late June, and she steam-rolled her way to the winner’s circle in that event by a stunning 10 strokes.

Does such accolades mean that Karle also will be on her way to the LPGA soon? Hardly. “I really want to go to college,’’ she said of her future. “I want to have an education with me for the rest of my life, even if I do plan to eventually play professionally.’’

If Karle sounds grounded, she is that. At the same time, she likes to challenge herself, which is why she’ll put it all on the line Wednesday at McCormick Ranch in Scottsdale during qualifying for the Arizona Open. Yes, the “men’s’’ Arizona Open.

“Not at all,’’ she said when asked if she was following the Michelle Wie route. “I’m just trying to build experience, like last year, when I attempted to qualify for the FBR Open.’’ Say what? Yes, Karle tried to Monday qualify for the local PGA Tour event and shot a very respectable 74 in the process.

Wow, you’ve got to wonder if the sky isn’t the limit for Taylore Karle. Especially when she says, “My attitude is my strength; I hate to lose.’’

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE:

McKenney, too: Karle wasn’t the only local junior to come up big at the PING Phoenix Junior, as Scottsdale’s Tim McKenney also made his way to the winner’s circle. But this was a special trip for the senior at Desert Mountain, as he won his first AJGA event. “I really started to rock and roll on the back (nine),’’ said McKenney, who made two birdies and an eagle at the 14 th hole for a closing 67 that left him three strokes clear of the field. McKenney, who has given a verbal commitment to the University of Florida, opened with a brilliant 65, but what would you expect from a kid who recently made it to the semifinals of the U.S. Junior Amateur? It was very close, as McKenney lost in 21 holes to the eventual champion, Kevin Tway, the son of PGA Tour player Bob Tway.

Wrong address: He was listed as being from Canada in scores from the U.S. Amateur, but Richard Lee, who shot 71-78 at Philadelphia Country Club, is from Chandler. At 14, Lee was the youngest player in the 178-man field, and came within four shots of making the match play round of 64 players..

And finally: The East Valley is literally bursting with outstanding young players, including 16-year-old Philip Francis of Scottsdale, who recently was elevated in the Golfweek/Titleist ratings to No. 1 junior boys player in the country.