GOLF / DAN HAFNER : This Swedish Star Is Proving She Belongs

The first victory on any of the professional golf tours is an occasion to remember, but when it is a major, it is something special.

Helen Alfredsson, the Swedish golfer who is a graduate of US International in San Diego, is not likely to forget her first LPGA victory. It was in last year’s Nabisco Dinah Shore, one of the most important tournaments in women’s golf. It was also the last time that Dinah Shore was there to present the trophy.

“I always thought I could win on the LPGA, but you never really know until you finally do it,” said Alfredsson, who will defend her championship in the 72-hole $700,000 event beginning Thursday at Mission Hills Country Club.

“I always pictured myself winning a tournament, but it didn’t happen the way I thought. I dreamed of walking up to the 18th green to the cheers of the crowd. Instead there I was on the 18th fairway last year unable to enjoy it.

“I was too focused on trying to hold onto my lead. I had to worry about Betsy (King) making a birdie, or me hitting one into the water. It wasn’t until later I could even think about how it felt to win.”

Alfredsson bogeyed the last hole, but still won by two strokes.

“Golf is a bit different than most sports,” Alfredsson said. “No matter how well you play, it doesn’t necessarily mean you will win. You don’t have control over the other players. The best I ever shot was a 63. If I do that and somebody comes along with a 62, I did my best, but I still lost.

Alfredsson wasn’t always sure she wanted to be a professional golfer. She accepted a scholarship at USIU in 1983 partly to find out. She had already won three Swedish national championships before enrolling in college. She received a degree in international business in 1988. When she and two others from Sweden were second in the World Amateur Team Championships shortly after graduation, she decided pro golf was for her.

Although she won tournaments in several countries in international competition, her career on the U.S. tour didn’t begin until 1992.

“In 1989 I made it through the first round of qualifying and had paid all my fees for the final rounds at Sweetwater, Tex.,” she said. “Then, I did a stupid thing. I forgot to sign the registration card. I was on the putting green when someone asked me if I was the only one from Sweden trying to qualify. She added that if I was, I failed to register. It was too late and I was out.”

Although she was only 17th in qualifying school in 1991, she quickly proved she belonged on the LPGA tour. She didn’t win a tournament, but she lost in Japan to Betsy King on the fourth playoff hole, finished third in another event and earned $262,115 in 24 tournaments. She won the Itoki Classic in Japan after the official season was over.

“I may have put too much pressure on myself because I wanted to prove I could win here,” Alfredsson said. “There were so many things that made it special. The Dinah Shore is just about the most prestigious tournament. And it was not too far from San Diego, where I have so many friends. And, of course, I finally beat Betsy.”

Alfredsson is hard on herself and when she does “something stupid,” she curses in Swedish so that few spectators can understand her. Usually.

“I have been in this country so much of the time that when I get upset with myself, English words slip out and everybody knows what I said. I have to be more careful.”

Alfredsson returned to Sweden last November and thinks she went too soon. She lives in La Canada and was home on Jan. 17 when the earthquake struck.

“It was an experience,” she said. “We shook quite a bit and dishes and glasses were shattered. It was a weird feeling later that morning when I went out to get the mail. It was a warm, beautiful day and yet, you knew half of Los Angeles was in turmoil.”

As always, the Dinah Shore brings out the top golfers. Among those who will make it difficult for Alfredsson to repeat are Donna Andrews, who won last week’s LPGA tournament at Tucson, young Southern California star Brandie Burton, King, Patty Sheehan and Nancy Lopez.

“I got off to a slow start this season, but I’m coming around,” Alfredsson said after finishing 69-68 in the last two rounds at Tucson.

She finished last year No. 5 in money with $402,665. Her only victory was in the Dinah Shore, but she tied for second in the U.S. Open and had nine top-10 finishes.

Golf Notes

Four golfers who made it through the first round at Whispering Lakes in Ontario will compete in the National Long Drive Contest at Whispering Lakes on Friday and Saturday. They are Chris Kitlinger of Laguna Niguel, Bob Strege of Henderson, Nev., Paul Mercado of Upland, and Mike O’Mara of Mira Loma. Kitlinger’s best drive was 359 yards 1 foot. . . . The PGA Tour said that a team event similar to the Ryder Cup, but involving the U.S. and the rest of the world except Europe, could be held this year.

The ninth annual Servite Open, a co-ed tournament, will be held at SeaCliff Country Club Monday, April 11. . . . The 44th annual Boys and Girls City junior golf tournaments will be played March 26-28 at Wilson, Harding and Roosevelt courses in Griffith Park. . . . The fifth annual White Memorial Medical Center golf classic will be held March 28 at Friendly Hills Country Club in Whittier.