Juli Simpson Inkster

Mrs. Juli Simpson Inkster, 20, of Santa Cruz, California, a bride of three weeks, defeated Patti Rizzo, 20, of Hialeah, Florida, 2 up, in the 18-hole final match at the Prairie Dunes Country Club, in Hutchinson, Kansas.

Dorothy Lasker, of Hinsdale, Illinois, was medalist with a 36-hole score of 147, three over par. Miss Lasker reached the second round where she lost, 2 up, to Phyllis Preuss.

Mrs. Inkster and Miss Rizzo had scores of 150 and 151 respectively. Eight players were involved in a playoff to decide the final two places in match play.

On her way to the final, Mrs. Inkster defeated among others, Maureen Madill of Northern Ireland, the 1979 British Champion, 7 and 6; and Carol Semple, of Sewickley, Pa., the 1973 Women's Amateur Champion and 1974 British Champion, 2 and 1, in the semi-finals.

The 10th, a par 3, was a pivotal hole in the final match. Miss Rizzo was 2 down, but she had a short birdie putt. Mrs. Inkster, however, holed a downhill 20-foot putt for a birdie. Miss Rizzo made her putt for a half, and then won the 11th with another birdie.

Had she won the 10th, the match would have been even. Mrs. Inkster took a 2-up lead with a birdie on the 13th green, lost the 16th, and won the 18th with a par when Miss Rizzo's approach was short of the green.

The starting field of 150 included 15 past United States Curtis Cup team members, including Polly Riley, Barbara McIntire, and Mrs. Anne Quast Sander, each of whom played on six teams.

Miss McIntire, who won the 1964 Women's Amateur at Prairie Dunes, qualified for match play but lost her first round match. The USGA received a record 281 entries, surpassing the previous record of 273 in 1979.