His lucky putt came just in time

Don Duggan of Quincy loves to play golf. And it is paying off for the 64-year-old retired MBTA worker.

Duggan, an 18-handicapper, was playing in a charity tournament at his home course, the Brookline Golf Club, on June 23 when his Odyssey putter got very hot.

No, he didn't win a tournament or set the course record. But he walked away with $5,000.

And he didn't want to even try for the prize money.

``We had just finished the round and I was tired and hungry," said Duggan. ``I had a full plate of good food I couldn't wait to eat. In fact, I had already taken a bite into a piece of chicken when they called my name."

Officials were calling Duggan's name because one of the extras in the day of golf was a chance to sink a putt for $5,000. Every golfer went to the putting green during the tournament and tried to sink the same 10-foot putt. Duggan and about 10 others sank the putt.

``So they called all of us together and they told us if we sank a 20-footer, we would be eligible to try for a 50-foot putt, and if we sank that we would win $5,000. I didn't really care. The odds are impossible and I just wanted to sit down and eat."

But Duggan was the only golfer to sink the 20-footer and have the opportunity to take one 50-foot putt for $5,000. By this time a huge storm was advancing on the area, a torrential downpour that brought Boston traffic to a standstill that Friday afternoon.

``I didn't want to stick around out there. You could hear the thunder. I was going to hurry the putt," said Duggan. ``I figured it was about a 2-foot break and there were a couple of twigs on the line of the putt. At first I was going to leave them there and just putt because you could hear the storm coming. But I walked toward the hole and moved them out of the way and got ready to putt again."

His putt broke as he predicted. On its last revolution, it fell into the hole.

``I couldn't believe it," he said.

Darsch named assistant at BC

After coaching at the collegiate, professional, and Olympic levels of women's basketball, former Plymouth-Carver High School basketball star Nancy Darsch returns to New England to become an assistant coach at Boston College.

A pioneer in women's basketball, Darsch has witnessed the remarkable transformation of the game. When she began playing in high school during the mid-1960s, girls' basketball was a different game. Six players were on the floor for each side, and two were not permitted beyond half court. Uniforms were no more than gym suits.

``It's difficult to imagine the changes that have occurred," said Darsch. ``When I began playing, it was beyond my comprehension that some day there would be a women's professional league in America, let alone having the opportunity to coach in the league."

Darsch, who earned her bachelor's degree at Springfield College in 1972, got her master's degree while serving as assistant coach for the legendary Pat Head Summit at the University of Tennessee. Besides being an assistant coach to the United State Olympic women's basketball team in 1976, Darsch served as head coach at Ohio State for 12 years and later in the Women's National Basketball Association for the New York Liberty.

She is also the third Plymouth native working on the coaching staff at Boston College.

Former Plymouth soccer star Alison Foley is coach of the women's soccer team, and Mikio Aoki was hired this spring as head coach of the varsity baseball team.

``We are extremely excited to have Nancy join the Boston College women's basketball program. Her experience on professional, college, and international levels will be a tremendous benefit," said BC head coach Cathy Inglese in a statement. ``Nancy is comfortable with our program having worked with the players and staff last fall. Her experience and familiarity with BC will make an immediate impact."

Darsch remembers some of those life lessons she learned on the playing fields as a three-sport star at Plymouth-Carver High from her coach, Nancy McDuffee.

``She taught me to never forget that it's fun," said Darsch. ``You have to remember above everything else the importance of team chemistry and camaraderie."

Oliver Ames has successful season

One of the best stories of the spring high school season was the success of the Oliver Ames baseball team.

Led by four outstanding seniors -- Derek Gomes, Zach Kayce, Evan Sauve, and G.P. O'Kane -- this young team finished with a 17-6 record and, thanks to a nine-game winning streak, advanced to the Division 2 South Section Championship game, before bowing out, 4-1, at the hands of Somerset June 7.

During the winning streak, OA coach Leo Duggan refused to wash or change his pants, for fear of bringing bad luck.

``I don't know if they smelled, but they certainly looked like they could use a washing," said Oliver Ames athletic director James VonEuw.

Wheaton's Leonard heads to the Cape

Wheaton College infielder Brandon Leonard, a New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference All-Star, is spending this summer on Cape Cod playing for the Hyannis Mets.

The Cape Cod League is the premier college summer league in the nation. It is where players like Nomar Garciaparra, Jason Varitek, and Mo Vaughn honed their skills during their collegiate years.

Leonard deserved a shot. He had a terrific season for the Lyons, start ing 51 of 52 games for Wheaton and hitting .333.

He gave the Cape Cod League a whirl when it held tryouts in Wareham on June 5.

Leonard impressed representatives on hand with strong throws from deep shortstop during the warm-up drills and during the scrimmage.

Academic honors for Trinity's White

Trinity College women's tennis player Melissa White of Westwood, a senior captain, was selected to the New England Small College Athletic Conference All-Academic Team.

To be eligible for the honor, a student-athlete must be a starter or key reserve for a varsity team and maintain at least a 3.35 grade-point average.

The Trinity women's tennis squad, coached by Wendy C. Bartlett, posted a 5-9 record and finished 11th in the New England Division 3 Championships.

White was 6-10 in singles matches and 3-11 in doubles in 2005-06. She finished her career with a 21-33 record in singles and posted a 17-41 doubles record with several partners.

An All-NESCAC doubles player in 2003-04, White is an alumna of Westwood High School. She graduated from Trinity in May with a degree in English.

``She will be very much missed as a player and person," said Bartlett. ``Melissa has always been an important part of the team. . . . But what set her apart this year were her leadership skills as captain. Her calm demeanor, patience with a very young team, and maturity enabled this team to have a positive, productive, and fun season."