CAPE C.C. HOLDS 20TH EDITION OF LASSIES CLASSIC

Once a year, for the past 19 years, the monsters of Loch Ness and Loch Lomond have invaded the Cape Girardeau Country Club.

Despite these creatures lurking on the water hazards of the golf course, female golfers from across five states keep coming back for the Lassies Classic Golf Scramble.

Entering its 20th year, 204 golfers comprising 102 teams are scheduled to tee off over the next two days for the title of the Scottish-themed tournament patterned after the "old course" in St. Andrews, Scotland. After starting with just 30 teams its first year in 1979, the tournament quickly became arguably the top female golf tournament in the area.

"We just wanted to have a two-day tournament 20 years ago and it just grew," said tournament creator and organizer Marion Miles. "It just kept going and going."

The tournament's growth could be linked to its creativity and tradition. Tartan plaid flags mark all 18 holes with inflatable "monsters" guarding two of the holes. The 25-foot, multi-colored Monster of Loch Ness has been a staple of the tournament since its start.

The tourney has grown so much, this year's field nudged past the 100-team limit started in 1991 after 108 teams entered.

"We didn't mean to," Miles said with a laugh. "We try to take a few extra (entries) just in case someone cancels late, but nobody's canceled."

Two-time tournament champions Vicki Long and Janice Hoffman will be back to defend their title from last year. Also scheduled to make a charge for the championship is New Madrid duo Diane Fowler and Harriet Myers, last year's runners-up and 1996 champions.

"I wouldn't be surprised if Hoffman and Long won again," Miles said. "They're in their prime and Vicki won the state seniors tournament this year.

"Myers and Fowler could also win, but I believe it will be Long and Hoffman."

Bagpipe music will blare as action begins this morning with the teams shooting themselves into their class after the first 18 holes. The tournament concludes Thursday with the final 18 holes. Prizes are awarded for each hole with the top six teams in each class earning prize money. Past Winners of Lassie's Classic Scramble

(at Cape Girardeau Country Club)

1979 (30 teams) Marge and Lisa Thompson, Cape C.C.

1980 (48 teams) Mary Blain and Polly Bess, Dexter and Murray, Ky.

1981 (54 teams) Flo Lewis and Linda Matheny, Kimbeland C.C.

1982 (78 teams) Mary Lorch and Lois Bertrand, St. Louis.

1983 (78 teams) Mary Lorch and Lois Bertrand, St. Louis.

1984 (85 teams) Essie Poole and Dee Hamer, Kimbeland C.C.

1985 (90 teams) Mary Blain and Polly Bess, Dexter and Murray, Ky.

1986 (88 teams) Mary Blain and Polly Bess, Dexter and Murray, Ky.

1987 (93 teams) Martha Hamilton and Barb Johnson, Cape C.C. and Kimbeland C.C.

1988 (96 teams) Mary Blain and Polly Bess, Dexter and Murray, Ky.

1989 (99 teams) Mary Blain and Polly Bess, Dexter and Murray, Ky.

1990 (94 teams) Judy Brey and Barb Meisner, Cape Girardeau and California.

1991 (108 teams) Sue Taylor and Rosetta Johnson, Paducah, Ky., and Cape Girardeau.

1992 (98 teams) Mary Jo Lasley and Ann Kieneath, Anna, Ill., and Herrin Ill.

1993 (96 teams) Vicki Long and Janet Hoffman, Kimbeland C.C. and Dexter.

1994 (100 teams) Rechelle Cadwell and Lisa Jarrett, Calvert City Ky., and Benton Ky.

1995 (100 teams) Rechelle Cadwell and Lisa Jarrett, Calvert City Ky., and Benton Ky.

1996 (100 teams) Diane Fowler and Harriet Myers, New Madrid

1997 (98 teams) Vicki Long and Janice Hoffman, Kimbeland C.C. and Dexter.

Rechelle Cadwell and Lisa Jarrett hold the tournament's best score ever by firing a 125 in the 1994 tournament.