Weller takes crown in OSWGA Memorial and gives a lot back
BY SHALISE MANZA
YOUNG
Journal Sports Writer
So yesterday, when Weller won the OSWGA's
Memorial Tournament, she knew which charity would receive a gift in her name.
"I want to give the money back to the (Price)
scholarship fund," Woodland Greens' Weller said yesterday after a
3-over-par round of 76 at Highland Country Club. "
The Memorial Tournament is meant to honor deceased OSWGA
members, including co-founder Price. The organization donates the net profits
from the event to the charity of the winner's choice.
Yesterday, that amount was $245.
Weller used her OSWGA scholarship winnings wisely. In
addition to completing her degree in illustration at SCAD, she was a two-time
academic All-American, garnering the highest grade-point average (3.97) of all
female student-athletes at the school. Weller led the Bees to their first-ever
NAIA national tournament, in May, where the team finished 13th and she finished
11th.
Back home, Weller is taking an academic break to
concentrate on golf -- she was a semifinalist at the OSWGA State Amateur
earlier this month, losing to eventual champion Valerie Blinn
for the second straight year. She is also working at Point Judith.
Yesterday, the 23-year-old Weller played a consistent
round, winning by six shots over Newport National's Kris Kennedy. She birdied
the first, sixth and 15th holes (
"I putted really well. I was 1 over for 17 holes, but
then I tripled the 18th. I wasn't too happy about that. But, whatever, I move
on. I had a fun day," she said.
Playing partner Kennedy had a good time, as well, mostly
because she was finally able to post a good score this season.
"Playing with Amber, I just followed her lead,"
said Kennedy, the assistant men's golf coach at Bryant. "I've been
struggling, up and down, getting a 57 on the front nine and then 41 on the
back. Just up and down. (But) this makes me feel great; there's some salvation
to my game."
Kennedy and Bryant head coach Archie Boulet
were at a golf camp in New Hampshire last week and didn't get to watch
firsthand as one of their players, Brenden Smith,
posted a string of upsets to finish as runner-up at the R.I. Golf Association
State Amateur.
One of the highlights of yesterday's event was a
hole-in-one, by Montaup's Jeanne Oliveira, which came
on the 110-yard fourth and was the second of her career. Most memorable for
Oliveira, however, was the reaction of playing partner Geri Lisa.
"Geri's face was so funny. Her mouth was open so big
I could see her tonsils," said Oliveira, who finished with a 94.
Championship Division
Gross -- Amber Weller, 76; Kris Kennedy, 82; Carol Wilson,
85. Net -- Kyong Kim, 67; Judy Gravier, 67; Sandra Gross, 69.
A Division
Gross -- Carolyn Brown, 89; Kathy Mis,
89; Brenda Paris, 91. Net -- Alice Hawthorne, 63; Eileen Riendeau, 66; Valerie Tessier, 68.