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Freshman's success puts her in elite class

Playing with the boys posed few problems for Brittany Lincicome, the Times Player of the Year.

By RODNEY PAGE

© St. Petersburg Times, published November 25, 2000

Warning: This is not the first time, nor will it be the last time, Brittany Lincicome graces these pages.

The 14-year-old home-schooled freshman who plays golf for Osceola already has made her mark on the American Junior Golf Association.

Lincicome, who lives in Bardmoor and practices at Bardmoor Country Club, has won several AJGA events, including the Optimist International Junior Golf Tournament in Palm Beach Gardens this summer.

In her first year of high school competition, she won the Class A, District 10 tournament by nine strokes after firing a 3-under-par 69 at Innisbrook's Highlands South Course.

Then came a regional tournament championship with a 1-over-par 73 at Innisbrook's Island Course. Her attempt at a state championship fell short when she shot matching 80s at Vero Beach's Sandridge Golf Course and finished out of the running.

That doesn't happen too often. Lincicome routinely competed with and defeated most of the boys she played as the No. 1 player for Osceola this season. She had a 39-stroke average for nine holes despite playing from the blue tees.

"It was okay," Lincicome said of her first high school season. "It was long playing from the guys tees, but it was a good experience. I wish I would've played better at states. That's my only regret. I just didn't play well. That was what was so frustrating about it."

So how does Lincicome wipe away the bad memory of the state tournament? She knocks off some of the top golfers two weeks later at the AJGA Polo Golf Junior Classic in Orlando.

Lincicome earned an invitation to the international event by virtue of her Optimist win. After two rounds, she made the cut for the final 32.

Then Thursday, she disposed of last year's champion, Naree Song Wongluekiet, 3 and 2 in the morning and reigning U.S. girls champion Lisa Ferrero of Lodi, Calif., 1-up in the afternoon. As of Friday, Lincicome was in the top eight of a very impressive field.

While Lincicome is looking forward to winning the tournament, she also is ready for a break. She has played non-stop since the beginning of the year.

"I've played a lot of golf," she said. "Usually by the end of the month, I'm ready to take some days off. After this tournament, I'm going to take a few weeks off. I usually play better after I've had a little break."

Lincicome plans to play in some more tournaments starting in January. And she surely will be the No. 1 player on the Osceola boys team for years to come.

"She's a tremendous player," Osceola coach Mark Saari said. "She's going to do very well. She hits the ball a long ways, but she can also putt."

Lincicome seems to have all of the tools for a life in professional golf.

Her obvious career goal is to play on the LPGA Tour, and with the way she is playing as a 14-year-old, it is hard to doubt her.

"I think about it all the time," Lincicome said. "I keep telling myself, practice harder, practice harder."

Introducing: Brittany Lincicome

GRADE: Freshman.

PREP ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Class A, District 9 and Region 3 individual champion.

FAVORITE ATHLETE: Annika Sorenstam.

FAVORITE FOOD: Chicken.

FAVORITE SCHOOL SUBJECT: Math.

CAREER GOAL: LPGA Tour or veterinarian.

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