Terrell Italiano, the winner of the West Coast Women's match last week at Renaissance Vinoy, crafted a 4-over 76 on the 5,200-yard layout to win by three strokes over Agnie Pielaszek of Tampa Palms.
It was only the third round of 18 holes that Italiano, recognized by most as the area's top amateur woman, has played since October. She owns a Tampa business that takes priority over competing at her club, Palma Ceia, or elsewhere in the state.
However, despite a planned seven-day cruise this week, Italiano has her sights on a third title in the prestigious WCWGA annual championship, April 26-27 at Sarasota's Laurel Oak. Next month, Italiano has an even bigger challenge. It's the seventh annual Florida Women's State Amateur Championship at Black Diamond in Lecanto. She won the 1999 crown. Taffy Brower of Boynton Beach, a member of the 2003 Florida Women's team, captured the WCWGA title the past two years.
"I'm hitting the ball well off the tees now, long and straight," said Italiano, who averages drives of 240 yards.
"I was 1-under after nine on Monday at the Vinoy, but bogeys on the back nine killed me," she said. "The greens got hard and fast, and that gave me trouble."
Italiano plans to get in some practice on the Caribbean cruise, at least pitching and putting and maybe even driving off a pad into the deep blue.
"I'm going into these two tournaments not expecting anything," said Italiano, who plays to a zero handicap. "I look forward to playing with the ladies of the (West Coast) association. They're a great group of gals."
St. Petersburg's Mary Ann Petrillo, who took the WCWGA championship in 1999, said that Italiano - despite her lack of recent competition, is the prohibitive favorite.
"Terrell is one golfer I know that doesn't need to play or practice a lot to play well," said Petrillo, last year's runner-up. Dade City's Kathy Hunt successfully defended her crown last season with a 36-hole 148. Italiano didn't compete in the tournament.
MORE VINOY RESULTS: Cathy Moss of the host club won Flight A in the WCWGA match with an 80.
She was followed by Belleair's Mary Critchfield and the Bayou's Leslie Roberts, who both posted 82.
Flight B was won by Becky Miles of Tampa (84). Carol Whaley of the Bayou placed second (84). Trailing was St. Petersburg Country Club's Jen Marshall (88). Pinellas members won Flights C and D. Joanne Leverone of the Vinoy topped C with 87, and Cypress Run's Mary Lou Damm took D at 85.
JUNIORS: Seminole's Brittany Lincicome overwhelmed the girls field at last weekend's Innisbrook Easter Classic en route to setting a personal record. Lincicome's 68-69-69-206 gave her a 20-stroke margin over runner-up Dolores White of Lakeland.
"That was my main goal in this tournament, playing all three rounds under 70," said Lincicome, who is 10th in the Golfweek/Titleist women's national rankings. "And didn't miss a green all week and needed just 31 putts (Sunday) on the Island course."
The highlight of Lincicome's round was an eagle 2 on the par-4 fifth hole, where an 80-yard lob wedge shot barely cleared a bunker and rolled into the cup.
Bobby Dyer of Valrico overcame a six-stroke deficit in the final round with 70 to win the boys 14-18 group at 226, edging Dade City's Cameron Knight and Chris Mickley of Vero Beach by two shots.
Zack Sobel of Tarpon Springs and Berkeley Prep took the 13-and-under title with 74-72-146, two better than Gulfport's Chris Hanson. COLLEGES: St. Petesburg's Mike Barbosa finished second for Georgia Tech in the Atlanta Collegiate Tournament with 1-under 214 (71-70-73). It tied for 15th in a field of 60 players.
Florida defeated 12 teams for the title.
Brad Quiri and Ryan Shears, both East Lake graduates, finished 1-2 for USF in last week's LSU Spring Invitational.
Quiri was 1-under, and Shears shot even par as the Bulls tied for seventh among 17 squads.
Amanda Dick (Countryside) captured second for Florida (74-76-80-230) in the Byan National Collegiate, April 2-4 in North Carolina.
Top-ranked Duke won, and the Gators finished 10th among 18 schools.
COVE CAY: Kathy Tinsley won her 10th women's title last month with a three-round 271, one better than runner-up Becky Covell.
Men's defending champion Doug Stewart prevailed with 73-75-74-222 for a five-stroke margin over John Manthei. Tom Francis claimed the senior crown, 88-84-172.
Cove Cay has a new practice facility and chipping green.
CGA: Palm Harbor's Dave Derrick paired with Vic Morelli for a better-ball 69 in the April 5 match at Countryside Country Club.
That gave them a tie for first with J.R. Robertson and Sean Martin. Derrick said that Morelli, who plays to a four handicap, is long off the tee, down the middle and a superb putter.
In the senior division, Wayne Mateer and Claud Johnston produced a 66 for a two-stroke victory over Bill Fulford and Dave Scott.
TAP-INS: Brandt Snedeker, the winner of the New Year's Invitational at St. Petersburg Country Club, fared well over the weekend in the Masters.
He was among just two amateurs to make the cut, and Snedeker managed to tie Tim Petrovic of Dade City and beat Jeff Sluman and Chris Riley.
Jim Mouzakis and Jack Doyle took net honors with 58.
COMING UP: The Countryside Touchdown Club is having its annual tournament 1 p.m. Sunday at Lansbrook. It is a fundraiser for the high school football program. To register, call John Schroeder, 647-4963.
The Exchange Club of Northeast St. Petersburg will have a scramble 1 p.m. April 30 at Pasadena. The tournament benefits Family Resources Inc. of Pinellas and Manatee counties. Sponsors are welcome.
