FOWLER-MYERS HIT THEIR TARGET, WIN LASSIE'S CLASSIC

After shooting a 6-under-par 65 on Wednesday to hold a one-stroke lead entering the second day of the 20th annual Lassie's Classic Scramble, Diane Fowler and Harriette Myers, both of New Madrid, knew they had to improve on that score for Thursday's final round at the Cape Girardeau Country Club.

"Harriette said we need to shoot a 62 today," said Fowler with a grin. "That's exactly what she said coming out here, `we need to shoot 62.'"

Four birdies and an eagle on the front nine, coupled with five more birdies on the backside got the pair the 62 they wanted and their second Lassie's Classic championship in the three years they've competed in the event.

The two New Madrid golfers shot a two-day total of 127 -- just two strokes off the record score of 125 -- to defeat last year's champs Vicki Long and Janice Hoffman by three strokes in the 100-team field.

"Vicki Long and Janice Hoffman were behind us in the next group and we knew they were capable of shooting better than they did yesterday," said Fowler. "We knew they were capable of doing better so we (thought we) better do better too.

After carding a 67 on Wednesday, Long and Hoffman -- also two-time winners of the tournament -- closed Thursday with an 8-under-par 63. Last year, Fowler and Myers finished second behind Long and Hoffman.

"We didn't play well last year," said Myers.

"I played better the first day and (Harriette) played better the second day, but we never got our act together," Fowler said of last year's performance. "Today, I thought we both struck the ball good and we started out hot."

Sizzling might be a better description. On the first hole, Fowler chipped in from about 40-yards out for an eagle. The duo followed that up with birdies on the next three holes.

"We both hit the ball very solid today and (Diane) rolled the putts great," Myers said. "We both played solid golf."

With about four holes left to play, heavy rains delayed play for about 15 minutes. It hardly slowed Fowler and Myers down. The two carded five birdies over the final nine holes to keep the lead.

"We played the back very well, Myers said, "better than we normally do."

Despite practicing primarily on the flat terrain of the New Madrid Country Club, both ladies thought the long, par-71 layout of the Cape course helped them to have success.

"The golf course is nice for us because we are both long hitters and there are a lot of par 5's," said Fowler. "We have a good time because its nice for a couple of `flat-landers' to come up here and play in the hills. The only hills we have (in New Madrid) are on the greens."

Despite their success in the Lassie's Classic, the two don't usually participate in many tournaments. Myers usually has to work, but she said they try to make time for this tournament.

"We like it because it's a two-day tournament, we like the golf course and we like the people up here," Myers said. "They're awfully nice."