LONG-HOFFMAN BEAT HEAT, LASSIE'S FIELD

On a course with "monsters" lurking in two different water hazards at the Cape Country Club, the sweltering 90-degree heat proved to be the toughest obstacle during the two-day Lassie's Classic Scramble.

But Vicki Long and Janice Hoffman were able to beat the heat and the rest of the competition in the Scottish-themed tournament to win the Championship Class of the 19th annual women's tournament with an 11-under par total of 129. It's the third time the duo has won the Classic in the seven years they've teamed together.

"We scrambled really good together," said Dexter native Hoffman. "We picked each other up."

Long, of Cape, agreed with her partner, saying neither of the two played spectacular. The championship was certainly a team effort.

"If she didn't hit it good, then I did," said Long. "If she didn't make a putt; I did. We scrambled really well."

Hoffmann and Long topped last year's champions Diane Fowler and Harriet Myers of New Madrid by two strokes. Fowler and Myers turned in a 9-under, 131. Martha Hamilton and Barbara Johnson claimed third place, carding an 8-under, 132.

While professional golfers dealt with strong winds on the first day of the British Open in Scotland, the women at the Lassie's Classic, could only hope for such gust to cool them down in the exhausting heat.

But the winners had a plan for staying cool in the heat.

"We were looking for the shade every chance we got," said Long, who was in the spirit of the tournament with her red shorts.

"We looked for the shade and had a wet towel," she said.

All the while, keeping their golf balls clear of the cool waters of Loch Ness (Hole 6) and Loch Lomond (Hole 15) which had huge inflatable "monsters" floating on the surface.

Nearly 200 women competed in this year's two-person scramble. For a listing of the top three finishers in the six different flights, see Scoreboard.