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Golf

Former local prep ties for 15th in PGA event

By DAVE THEALL
Published April 6, 2005

The greater the reward the greater the risk.

PGA Tour rookie Ryuji Imada (Tampa Chamberlain) took that risk for a tie for first place on the par-5 18th hole Sunday in the BellSouth Classic.

His approach shot found a watery grave that led to a bogey. But he managed to finish 3-under entering Monday's final round and remain in position for a top-10 performance.

The rain-delayed tournament was completed late Monday. Imada finished 5-under par 211, tying for 15th and receiving $75,000.

Imada played for the University of Georgia, helping the Bulldogs capture the 1999 NCAA title.

BELLSOUTH CLASSIC NOTES: Clearwater's John Huston qualified for Monday's last round with 70-73-143.

Dunedin's Bob Heintz missed the 36-hole cut by a stroke. He carded 73-74-147.

Heintz is set to play next in the April 21-24 Shell Houston Open and the Zurich Classic of New Orleans starting April 28.

LPGA: Seminole's Brittany Lincicome not only leads the women's pro tour in driving distance, averaging 274.1 yards, she is third in reaching greens in regulation.

The 19-year-old rookie is tied for 22nd in putts (1.8) per hole.

Lincicome next tees it up in the LPGA Takefugi Classic, April 14-16 in Las Vegas.

CLEARWATER COUNTRY CLUB: On Saturday, an invitational tournament limited to former club winners and runners-up will be played.

The championship will be contested among teams of four based on established handicaps, head pro Eric Lettie said.

"Members Jack Deutsch and Joe Clay came up with the idea," Lettie said. "They've done a lot of work rounding up the field and planning the details of the event."

Ken Doty, the 1968 runner-up, is coming in from Alabama for the tourney.

The men's and women's winners from last year are in the field. They are Andy Nall and Shelly Urban. She also won in 2003.

WENTWORTH: The north Pinellas organization is among 20 that have entered the Florida State Club Team Championship, April 30-May 1 in Port St. Lucie.

Gary Richardson, David Niles and Kyle Brylow are committed to play. A fourth member has yet to be named.

Ponte Vedra Inn & Club is the defending champion.

COLLEGES: Brad Quiri and Ryan Shears (East Lake High School) finished second and third, respectively, for the USF Bulls in the Homewood Suites Intercollegiate in Mobile, Ala.

The Bulls tied for sixth in the tournament won by Mississippi State.

Quiri captured the Florida State Amateur title in June in Naples.

Freshma n Lara Smilnak (CCC) claimed a share of second for Boston College at the Lady Herd/El Diablo Invitational in Citrus Springs.

The Eagles finished 12th among 17 teams in a field topped by Coastal Carolina.

Vanderbilt's Luke List, who played in the New Year's Invitational at St. Petersburg Country Club, is entered in this weekend's Masters.

He earned the spot by finishing second to Ryan Moore in the 2004 U.S Amateur. List also returns to vie for amateur honors. Amateur Casey Wittenberg tied for 13th at Augusta last year after shooting even-par 288. That was the first top-15 amateur performance in 28 seasons.

[Last modified April 6, 2005, 01:07:18]