LPGA NOTEBOOK Giant Eagle Classic

Champion arrives: Dorothy Delasin, the defending champion of the Giant Eagle LPGA Classic, arrived at Squaw Creek County Club Monday afternoon and went immediately to the practice putting green. Delasin, who became the youngest winner on the LPGA Tour since 1975 when she captured this event at Avalon Lakes, was the LPGA Rolex Rookie of the Year in 2000. She was 19 years old when she won the tournament. "I'm excited to be back and I'm looking forward to defending my title this week," Delasin said.
No qualifier: There was no reason to hold a tournament qualifying tournament for conditional players on tour trying to get into the tournament. Since the field has just 130 players signed up to play, all conditional players were automatically placed in the field (134 golfers).
Trumbull Clinic: The temperature soared into the 90s, but the heat didn't discourage around 200 physically challenged and senior golfers who turned out for the Trumbull Hospital Foundation Clinic at the Squaw Creek Country Club driving range. They got free advice from LPGA Touring professionals Michelle Louviere, Lori Atsedes and Amy Langhals, along with LPGA Teaching Professional and Columbiana native Lisa Becka.
Junior clinics: The Eddie DeBartolo Junior Clinic drew nearly 300 youngsters aged 4 to 15 at the Squaw Creek driving range. Becka, a LPGA teaching professional from Copeland Hills Golf Course, headed up the clinic for the youngsters. Later in the day, the Lake to River Girl Scouts Council conducted a clinic at the driving range with LPGA professional Michelle Murphy.
oday's action: Morning action on Tuesday was to be filled with practice rounds. Over at Youngstown Country Club, the annual SkyBank Pro-Am will be played. This afternoon at 2, the club will hold the annual Schwebel's Long Drive contest. Six amateurs will contend for top honors: Alexandra Casi of East Palestine, Sandra Thorbjorsen of Beachwood, Stephanie Matasek of Boardman, Denise Barnholdt of Beaver Falls, Pa., defending champion Eric Blinzley of Hubbard and Erin O'Dell of Hudson. The professional division will have former Giant Eagle champion Michelle McGann, Sherri Turner, Jean Bartholomew, Jennifer Rosales, Annette DeLuca and Jean Zedlitz.
Golf Course beams: All of the players were talking about Squaw Creek's outstanding condition for the tournament. Squaw Creek head professional Gregg Matthus said the credit goes to course superintendent Lou Greco and his staff. "I've been here for 18 years and I don't ever think I've seen this golf course in better shape than it is right now," Matthus said.
Big shootout: The Butler Wick Corporation will hold the Celebrity Shootout at 4 p.m today. Ten LPGA professionals will be teamed with five celebrity amateurs in a four-hole scramble format on holes No. 10 and 18. The LPGA field has defending champion Dorothy Delasin, Dina Ammaccapane, Laura Diaz, former champions Tammie Green, Jackie Gallagher-Smith and Michille McGann, Wendy Ward, Sherri Steinhauerk, Danielle Ammaccapane and Donna Andrews.