By Lynn Saternow

Herald Sports Editor

Tam O’Shanter’s No. 14 hole is known as “Death Valley” because of the many good scores that have died in its depths. On Thursday, it was where Dante Vetica found life.

Vetica hit short on the Par-3 hole and was a few yards down the hill. But he chipped the ball onto the green and in plunked into the cup for a birdie. That proved to be the deciding shot in a one-stroke victory over Kennedy Catholic teammate Eric Grasso on the final day of the 61st Herald-Tam O’Shanter Golf Championship at the Hermitage course.

“I didn’t play well on the front and shot a 42,” said Vetica, who was the first-round leader (80). “Chipping it in was big. I knew it was going to be close; Eric is a great player.”

Grasso came from 4 strokes back last year to win the title and made a valiant attempt again after starting 6 strokes behind Vetica. In fact, he went out in 37 to cut the lead to only 1 stroke after the front nine.

He faltered a little on the back, but then birdied 16 and 17 before parring 18 and finishing with a solid 74 for a two-day total of 160. Then he had to wait for Vetica to finish.

“I wasn’t nervous before the round started, but I am now,” said Grasso as he awaited the finish. And it was exciting.

Vetica needed to make about a 4-foot breaking putt on the No. 18 green for par. And it was no gimme.

“I felt confident about it,” said Vetica, a son of Rich and Debbie Vetica, Hermitage. “I hit it hard (so it wouldn’t break much) and it went in.”

That putt gave Vetica a 79 for a 2-day total of 159 and the title. Only 16, Vetica will have a chance to repeat next year.

“I left a few shots out there,” said Grasso, shortly after congratulating Vetica on the victory. “I hit out of bounds both days on No. 12. That really hurt.”

“It was another exciting finish,” said John Kerins, Tamie director of golf, whose family has sponsored the event since 1949. “Unfortunately the weather wasn’t too good, but the U.S. Open is seeing the same kind of thing.

“It was good sportsmanship as always and there’s a lot of talent amongst the young men and women. It’s nice to see the number of girls playing.”