NATCHEZ &8212; Locals Neal Partridge ad Mary Kate Byrne led the field with a first round 62, besting the field of out-of-towners on day one of the two-day event.

Each year the tournament draws couples from all over to participate in one of the summer&8217;s last couples events.

Paul and Beth Duff drove down from Madison to participate in the tournament, and enjoy a few area attractions before the start of the school year.

&8220;We had been searching for a tournament to replace Wind Dance, and this one seemed like a good deal,&8221; Beth Duff said.

The Duffs finished in the middle of the pack Saturday, but said that they have enjoyed the area.

&8220;We drove down the Natchez Trace which was nice,&8221; Paul Duff said. We parked our camper over in Vidalia and have a nice view of the water from our den.&8221;

For many couples the tournament provides a nice retreat before the fall season and the start of a new school year.

Will and Vicki Deez finished day one tied for second place with a 66. The couple drove over from Baton Rouge to participate in the two-day event, stating that it is one of their annual favorites.

&8220;Well the tournament is such a good deal,&8221; Vicki Deez said. &8220;We have such a great time here in Natchez, that we don&8217;t care what we shoot on the golf course.&8221;

That being said the Deez duo will likely be in the hunt after day two provided they can straighten out their putting, which according to Mrs. Deez was the reason they didn&8217;t finish in first.

Alan and Lou Hart also tied for second with a first round score of 66.

Today&8217;s groups will tee off at 9 a.m. with a shotgun start. The competitors have now been grouped into two flights with prizes of $300, $250 and $100 being given out to the top three finishers in each flight.