Like Blinn's game, all is right at Price Memorial

01:00 AM EDT on Tuesday, April 13, 2004

BY PAUL KENYON
Journal Sports Writer

FALL RIVER -- Valarie Blinn has never known it any other way. For her, the chance to compete in organized state and regional golf tournaments always has been available.

Yesterday, was simply another opportunity. The 22-year-old from Crestwood picked up where she left off last year, firing an 81 at Fall River Country Club to win the Nathalie Price Memorial season-opening event sponsored by the Ocean State Women's Golf Association.

Blinn, who won the OSWGA Amateur and the Rhode Island Tournament of Champions among other events last year, handled the chill and strong winds to win by 12 strokes over Karen Adams.

For many of the older competitors in the 68-player field, though, the event held in memory of the organization's co-founder was about more than the final scores. The day marked the 10th anniversary of the founding of the organization that gives women the same opportunities men have had for more than a half century.

"This is all a dream come true," said co-founder Trudy Dufault as she helped compile the scores and the list of winners.

"I can't believe it's been 10 years," Dufault said. "For us to be at a place like this and have tournaments like this is wonderful. I'm sure Nathalie would feel the same way if she was here."

Until the OSWGA was organized, only those women who were members of private clubs and whose handicaps were low enough could qualify for membership in the R.I. Women's Golf Association and compete in state and regional events. The RIWGA is still going strong and co-existing with the OSWGA. The two organizations continue to go their separate ways, although there has been an increased level of cooperation between the two in the last several years.

Brenda Nardolillo, the OSWGA president, personified what the OSWGA is all about. A working mother who also is one of the OSWGA's best players, she was unable to take part in the tournament. Instead, she worked most of the day, then came for the post-round luncheon to help hand out awards. She appreciates what the OSWGA has meant.

"When I was growing up (near Boston), I could play anything I wanted, golf, tennis, anything," Nardolillo said. "When I moved here in '92, I joined Green Valley. By 1995, I thought I was ready to play tournament golf. I was told there was no place to play. But I was lucky. That was the year the OSWGA started."

With Dufault and Price leading the way and helped by a small group of friends, the organization began with about 40 members. It had four events in its first year. Last year, it had about 360 members.

"We have about 330 now," Nardolillo said. "We've had 31 new members join this year. A lot of our members aren't back from Florida yet. I think we'll be over 360 again."

This year, the schedule has 27 events at courses all over the region, including the Founder's Invitational next week at Rhode Island Country Club, then the President's Cup at Quidnessett the following week.

The winners yesterday:

Championship Division -- Blinn, 81; Nancy Diemoz, 94; Adams, 81; Cindy Silva, 85. A Division -- Judy Duarte, 98; Barbara Davis, 79. B Division -- Kathy Mis, 100; Jacqueline Booth, 85. C Division -- Judy Villani, 103; Ellen Gittleman, 77. D Division -- Lydia Fenster, 103; Janet Keene, 75.