All this great weather has everyone heading for the golf courses, which makes the clubs in the Sandhills breathe a sigh of relief.

But for the women in the area who take their games seriously, or just enjoy a nice get-together, it’s time to start making plans for the 33rd annual Moore County Women’s Amateur Championship.

Amanda D’Ostroph scored a breakthrough win last year at her home course, the Country Club of Whispering Pines East, edging six-time champion Patty Moore for the title. D’Ostroph attends Charleston Southern University.

The championship moves to National Golf Club this summer and is scheduled for June 27-28. The format is 36 holes of gross medal play with players flighted. There will be a 9 a.m. shotgun start both days.

Entrants must be 18 or older and have an established USGA handicap index. They must also be residents of Moore County or a member of a golf club in the county.

The entry fee is $95 and includes carts, range balls and an awards luncheon following the final round. Practice rounds will be available June 21-24 at noon for $30. Prizes will be awarded to the overall champion and the first- and second-place finishers in each flight.

Applications will be available at area golf clubs and at Roberts Golf Shop. For information, call Ginny Siedler at (910) 673-3240.

Mollica Wins: He’s left-handed and his name is Phil, but this golfer has a win under his belt this season.

Phillip Mollica, the former Clemson University star who won the North and South Amateur Championship at Pinehurst in 2007, has apparently overcome the mental slump he endured during his rookie season last year, shooting a 10-under-par 278 to win the eGolf Tour’s El Jadida (Morocco) Classic and the first-place check of $40,000.

Mollica posted rounds of 69-71-71-67—278 to pick up his first professional victory and also qualified for a berth in the European Tour’s prestigious King Hassan II Trophy.

Mollica entered the final round three strokes behind leader Brian Harman and made his move early on the Pullman Royal Golf Club course, making birdies on the first two holes. Two more birdies on holes eight and 10 gave him the lead, and he finished with a clinching birdie on 18.

“I didn’t look at the scoreboard until No. 13, but I wasn’t too concerned about it,” said the 23-year-old Mollica. “I knew I had to focus on my game, and up until that point I hadn’t put myself in trouble, so I felt I could just stick to what was working.”

Harman posted a front-nine 38 to fall from contention prior to imploding on the closing nine at Pullman Royal. Derek Fathauer, who entered the day in solo third, finished second

The tour returns to action on March 30 – April 2 for the Irish Creek Classic, to be contested at The Club at Irish Creek and Cabarrus Country Club

Golfweek Am: Dan Holland, of High Point, started and finished his round in the Golfweek Amateur Tour event exactly the same way. He made birdie on the No. 1 hole.

Holland won the championship flight in the tournament held at Crooked Creek in Fuquay-Varina by making birdie on the first hole in a playoff after he and Lance Jordan, of Raleigh, had tied with 78. Holland also birdied No. 1 at the beginning of the round.

Kevin Hamilton, of Fayetteville, won a playoff over Bill Berry, of Garner, and Mark Cobb, of Hope Mills, after they had tied for first in flight A with 80s.

Tom Handy, of Fuquay-Varina, won flight B with 80, Johnny Brooks, of Youngsville, shot 88 to win flight C, and Greg Green, of Apex, birdied the second playoff hole to top John Hall after they had tied with 97.

“The tour season is just getting started,” said tour director Bruce Hallenbeck. “Any amateur golfer interested in competing with us this season can call me at (336) 495-6556, or e-mail behgolf@aol.com. We have new members starting up every week with the tour.”

Tin Whistles: Bob Springer, Rich Warters, Dick Bock and Dick Berkshier teamed for a best-ball 57 to win the Tin Whistles event held on the Pinehurst No. 4 Course.

The threesome of Jim Peterson, Fred Nuenighoff and Pete Kremer won a card playoff over Murray Stern, Ron Sundstrom, John McPhaul and Bob Graham to take second after the teams

Watson Featured: Chip Watson, golf director and general manager of the Lonnie Poole Golf Course in Raleigh, has been featured in an article in Golfbusiness magazine.

In a story by New York writer Rob Carey, Watson is cited for his excellent management and marketing techniques at the new Arnold Palmer-designed course on the N.C. State University campus.

Contact Howard Ward at howardward@att.net.