NATCHEZ &045; What a difference a day, or for that matter less than a day, makes for those playing in Week 2 of the 2003 Isle of Capri Gals-N-Pals Couples Scramble at Beau Pr Country Club.

The tournament ended up going to 27 holes of play because of an hour-and-a-half weather delay late Tuesday morning because of lightning and heavy rain, which forced the morning and afternoon rounds to be cut to nine holes.

However, that didn’t deter Ron and Margie Randleman of Huntsville, Texas, from winning the championship flight as they shot 66-32 for a total of 98 and an easy 4-shot win.

&uot;We were playing really good,&uot; said Margie Randleman, who once lived in the Rosetta community near Gloster. &uot;We chipped in for two birdies. We putted real well.&uot;

&uot;We were never in trouble either day,&uot; said Ron Randleman, who is head football coach at Sam Houston State. &uot;She played super both days. It always feel good (to win). This is a good event. Natchez is a wonderful place to hold such an event.&uot;

However, because the Grand Finale is August 18-19, the Randlemans will not be able to play with ootball season around the corner for Randleman’s Bearkats.

&uot;It’s sad,&uot; Margie Randleman said.

Bruce and Elaine Autin of Houma, La., who were tied with the Randlemans after Monday’s first round with a 66 of their own, finished second in the championship flight after shooting an even-par 36 Tuesday for a 102 total.

&uot;One bogey and one birdie today,&uot; Bruce Autin said. &uot;We didn’t hit the ball as well today. We just had a super day yesterday.&uot;

Bruce Autin said the weather delay had no effect on them because they played in the afternoon.

As to how they feel about playing the Grand Finale, Elaine Autin said, &uot;I’m really excited. We’ll be back in August. It’s a beautiful course.&uot;

One team who was lucky to make it into the Grand Finale was last year’s Grand Champion, Kim and Laurin McLaurin of Poplarville.

After shooting a 69 and trailing by three shots in the championship flight on Monday, their chances of getting to the Grand Finale were pretty slim.

However, the McLaurins shot themselves into the Grand Finale with a 2-under 34 to finish at 103.

&uot;We were able to squeeze our way in,&uot; Kim McLaurin said. &uot;We said were going to play good and whatever happens happens. After yesterday I didn’t think we were going to get in.&uot;

With the Randlemans not being able to play in the Grand Finale, one of three teams, Shelton and Loretta Watts (69-35 104), Al and Sheila King (67-37 104), or Robbie and Erica Weeks (68-36 104) will end up in third place and will be back in August. That decision will be made later today.

Norman Kjos and Mary Ellen Cooper of San Antonio (74-34 108) won the first flight in a scorecard playoff over Jim and Cathy Hebert (72-36 108), who finished second, and Frances and John Peters (72-36 108), who finished third.

&uot;We won in a scorecard playoff,&uot; Cooper said. &uot;(Kjos) eagled on No. 14 from 170 yards out with a 5-iron. I like the course. We were very happy because it (weather) cleared off.&uot;

Ed and Janet Horan of Hot Springs Village, Ark. (75-36 111) took first place in the second flight by one shot over two other teams.

&uot;Believe it or not, we played our first 10 holes yesterday without a par,&uot; Ed Horan said. &uot;We had five birdies and five bogeys. It was unreal yesterday.&uot;

They ended up with three more bogeys for a 3-over 75, but trailed by just one shot and played a solid nine holes of golf today.