September 20, 2001 Posted: 05:10:03 AM PDT

By ALEX VALDEZ
BEE STAFF WRITER

Scott Tharp, who turned Merced High School's golf program into a Sac-Joaquin Section powerhouse in the mid-1980s, died while playing a round of golf Wednesday at the Merced Hills Golf & Country Club.

Tharp was 59.

Tharp was playing the eighth hole when he collapsed after hitting a shot, according to Merced Hills golf pro Ron Ewing, who played under Tharp at Merced High.

Despite efforts by paramedics, Tharp was pronounced dead of an apparent heart attack at Mercy Hospital in Merced.

A nursing supervisor at the hospital confirmed Tharp died late Wednesday afternoon, but said an official diagnosis had not been made.

Jerry McClenaghan, a long-time friend and colleague, said Tharp had a history of heart problems and had heart-related surgery about three years ago.

After four years of retirement, Tharp returned to teach English at Merced High last year.

Merced principal Tom Scheidt said Tharp touched many lives.

"He was well thought of by both students and staff," Scheidt said. "He was just the kind of teacher you wanted teaching your own children. He cared about individuals, not just the students in his English classes.

"There was a certain tenderness about him. He attracted a lot of students over the years."

Ewing, a former standout at Merced who went on to play on the PGA Tour and later in the 1996 U.S. Open, said he was about to go home when he noticed two men jumping over a golf cart to assist Tharp.

"One of the guys dialed and called 911," Ewing said. "They gave him CPR for about 20 minutes before the medics got there and worked on him for another 10 to 20 minutes.

"He played about two to three times a week. He decided to walk nine (holes) today. I don't know if (driving a cart) would have made any difference."

Merced athletic director Vince Clemons was shocked after hearing the news. Last year, John Montano, who succeeded Tharp as golf coach in 1988, died of a heart attack following a round of golf.

"I just can't believe it," Clemons said. "Scott was a wonderful man and very religious. He was very honest and had a lot of integrity. Those are the things you look for in your coaches."

Tharp was Merced's football coach from 1981 to 1985 and the school's golf coach from 1978 to 1987, building one of the section's top golf programs during that period.

The Bears won section golf championships from 1985-87 and finished second in the CIF Northern California Tournament in 1986, losing to Foothill of Pleasanton by one stroke.

Ewing also had his best season in 1986, winning the NorCal individual title.

Turlock golf coach and athletic director Frank Cusenza called Tharp "a good-hearted guy."

Cusenza said Tharp's golf teams in the early 1980s became the model for success.

"Those were some of the best teams to ever come out of the valley," Cusenza said. "His kids were always well-disciplined. He was one of the originals and a good man.

"What else can I say?"