LITTLE COMPTON -- Karen Marcos was disappointed when she completed her round yesterday in the Ocean State Women's Golf Association Stroke Play Championship.

But not for long.

Marcos did not hit the target score she gave herself at the Sakonnet Golf Club. Instead, she ended up with something better -- the tournament championship.

The 82 that Marcos posted in the cool and blustery conditions was the best among the 97 competitors, nipping Brenda Nardolillo and Carol Clarey by one stroke. It gave Marcos -- a member at Segregansett, a resident of Lakeville, Mass., and a regular competitor in OSWGA events -- the biggest title she has ever won in OSWGA play.

"I'm thrilled," Marcos said. "I love this course."

Marcos was a bit less than thrilled when she turned in her scorecard.

"I started off really well. I had a birdie [on the par-4 8th hole] and I kept it going good," she said. "I wanted to break 80. I could have done it today."

Marcos, an 11-handicapper, has broken 80 in the past, but has yet to do it this season.

"I've been just a hair off," she said. "I'm close, but I haven't been able to do it." Marcos had two double-bogeys on the back nine, including a three-putt on the 17th that killed her chances of breaking 80.

As Marcos waited for other scores to be posted, her mood kept getting better and better. Primarily because of the weather, the scores were higher than usual. In many ways it was a typical Sakonnet day.

While much of the state had considerable sun in the early part of the day, the bayside Sakonnet layout was cooler. And windier.

"It happens all the time. We often have a 10-degree difference, even from Fall River," said Sakonnet pro Bill Curtin.

"We had sun when we started," Marcos said. "But it got very cloudy and the wind was here all day. It seemed like the wind was in our face more than it was behind us."

"The greens here are beautiful," said Judy Duarte, who won the "B" Division. "And the fairways are like carpets."

But the cold and wind gave everyone problems. Clarey, who has been the best player in OSWGA events so far this season (the association already has had tournaments at RICC, Wannamoisett, Carnegie Abbey, Quidnessett and North Kingstown) posted an 83.

Nardolillo, the OSWGA's new president, made a strong run, too, but was foiled at the par-4 13th.

"I made an eight," Nardolillo said. "I hit it into the bunker in front of the green, went over the green, then chipped back over the green again. After watching David Toms win [last week's PGA Tour event in North Carolina] when he made an eight, I just said, 'OK. I made an eight. Now keep plugging.' "

Nardolillo did just that, but also finished one stroke behind Marcos. Cindy Silvia was fourth with an 87 and Carolyn Pacheco fifth at 88.

In the B Division, Duarte won with an 88 followed by Kerry Bowen with a 92, Jean Maack and Kyong Kim at 94 and Sandy Cross 95. Robin Parella and Dot Murray tied for the "C" title at 94. Gail McGovern and Ellen Gittleman had 97s and Colleen Towne a 99.