FOR NILSMARK, L.A. WILL ALWAYS BE SPECIAL PLACE.

Byline: Dave Shelburne Golf

Catrin Nilsmark, who understandably has a special feeling for the Los Angeles Women's Championship, opens her defense of that title Friday when the tournament makes its debut at Simi Valley's Wood Ranch.

Nilsmark won her first LPGA title when this event was held last year at Glendale's Oakmont Country Club, punctuating the accomplishment by outlasting two-time Player of the Year Annika Sorenstam in a playoff.

``It really helped me mentally,'' said Nilsmark, now in her sixth LPGA season. ``It's just more fun when you know you can beat them all.''

Although she said the reality of the long-awaited win didn't really sink in until ``I think it was the next day,'' Nilsmark believes she is still benefiting from that victory:

``The important thing about winning is the confidence you get from doing it,'' said the 29-year-old Swede. ``Until you actually do it, you are never really sure if you can win.''

And after winning?

``You play to win,'' she said. ``It's a different level within yourself. You play to win instead of play to finish top-10 or top-20.''

To win this week, Nilsmark will have to outperform some of the LPGA's finest. The field includes Sorenstam, Dottie Pepper, Laurie Davies and Liselotte Neumann, a quartet that has combined to win nine majors.

--Clubs for Kids: The Nissan Open's Clubs for Kids program celebrates a six-year anniversary Wednesday, when it again parlays free admission to Pro-Am play at Riviera Country Club into golf opportunities for underprivileged children.

Any spectator donating a club - new or used - at the Longworth Steet entrance that day will be admitted free. Collected clubs go to a Los Angeles-area junior golf program, helping introduce the game to youngsters who might otherwise not be exposed to the sport.

In addition to being a great bargain and a helping hand, the Clubs for Kids day could be the least-crowded way for fans to watch Tiger Woods, who has become an even-bigger sensation with six consecutive PGA Tour victories. Those planning on watching Woods once tournament play starts had best camp out two fairways ahead of him to secure a good view.

--Casey at Nissan: This year's Nissan field will include Woods' former college teammate, sponsor exemption Casey Martin, a Stanford All-American who has achieved more fame for his legal battle with the PGA Tour than for his obvious talent. < The long-hitting Martin, a Nike Tour (now BUY.COM Tour) graduate who suffers from a birth defect that makes it difficult for him to walk 18 holes, went to court to earn the right to use a cart in PGA Tour events.

Martin's grace and good nature have helped ease a potentially tense situation with his playing peers, since no other PGA Tour player uses a cart and since his unique story has generated media coverage rivaling that of more-proven tour players.

``I know I'm going to get some attention because of my situation, and it's really weird because I'm not yet an established player,'' Martin said. ``But I will deal with the pressure and hopefully good things will happen.''

--Names in the game: Longtime area instructor Joe Buttitta, who has achieved a niche in his profession by teaching Natural Golf since 1997, has started a Golf for Women Only program at Westlake Village GC. The six-week series is for beginners and intermediate players. Information: [phone]. . . .

Individual runner-up Nick Jones shot 5-under-par 208 to lead USC to the first championship of the Rolex Collegiate Tour's spring season last week. Nick Webb, Kevin Stadler (son of the Walrus), John Ray Leary and David Oh also played for the Trojans, whose lowest score in four years gave them a come-from-behind win over Arizona, led by medalist Ricky Barnes (204). Parker McLachlin (211) was fourth to lead UCLA, while former College of the Canyons star Magnus Carlsson, now at San Diego State, tied for 12th at 216.

--On the bubble: Area PGA Tour members Duffy Waldorf of Valencia and Olin Browne (who played at Occidental College) remain in contention, barely, for the Anderson Consulting Match Play Championship, scheduled for Feb. 23-27 at Carlsbad's La Costa Resort and Spa.

Waldorf entered this week No. 60 and Browne 64 in the World Golf Rankings. The top 64 as of Monday earn berths in the $5 million match- play event that pays $1 million to the winner and $25,000 for last place. Waldorf is playing this week at the Buick Invitational in Torrey Pines. Browne, on the bubble, is not playing this week.

Agoura Hills resident Steve Pate reached the semifinals last year, losing 1-up to eventual champion Jeff Maggert.

--Tiger watch: Woods, who will join No. 2 David Duval and defending champion Ernie Els in next week's Nissan Open, opens his bid for a seventh straight PGA Tour win today at Torrey Pines.

As if the crush to see Woods wasn't enough - tournament officials expect huge crowds this week - he'll be paired the first two days with longtime gallery favorite Fred Couples and popular Billy Mayfair. They tee off today at 11:12 a.m. and Friday at 10:09.

--Robinson opens: Robinson Ranch, the area's fourth new course since October, opens for business Saturday with the debut of its par-71, 6,508- yard Mountain layout. Rates are $85 weekdays and $115 weekends.

The property, designed by Ted Robinson Sr. and Jr., is located in Sand Canyon, east of Highway 14 in Canyon Country. A second course, the Valley, is scheduled to open this summer.

Cascades in Sylmar, Sterling Hills in Camarillo and Tierra Rejada in Moorpark all opened recently.

THIS WEEK IN GOLF

PGA TOUR

Buick Invitational --Site: La Jolla

--Schedule: Today-Sunday.

--Courses: Torrey Pines (North Course, 6,874 yards, par 72; South Course, 7,033 yards, par 72).

--Purse: $3 million.

--Winner's share: $540,000.

--Television: USA (Today-Friday, 4-6 p.m., tape) and CBS (Saturday- Sunday, noon-3 p.m.)

--Last year: Woods won, ending a nine-month victory drought with a two-stroke victory over Billy Ray Brown. Woods shot a course-record 10-under 62 in the third round and closed with a 65 to match the tournament record of 22-under 266.

LPGA TOUR L.A. Women's Championship

--Site: Simi Valley

--Schedule: Friday-Sunday.

--Course: Wood Ranch Golf Club (6,222 yards, par 72).

--Purse: $750,000.

--Winner's share: $112,500.

--Television: The Golf Channel (Friday-Sunday, 1:30-4 p.m.)

--Last year: Sweden's Catrin Nilsmark won her first LPGA title, beating compatriot Annika Sorenstam on the first hole of a playoff. Nilsmark and Sorenstam had 12-under 204 totals.

SENIOR PGA TOUR Ace Group Classic

--Site: Naples, Fla.

--Schedule: Friday-Sunday.

--Course: Pelican Marsh Golf Club (6,915 yards, par 72).

--Purse: $1.2 million.

--Winner's share: $180,000.

--Television: ESPN (Friday, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 2:30-4 p.m.)

--Last year: Allen Doyle won for his first senior victory. Doyle shot a 13-under-par 203 to beat Vicente Fernandez by five strokes.

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