hasn't established a clear-cut favourite after two rounds of play at Castle Harbour.

Pawtucket CC I of Rhode Island, who are led by pro Steve Napoli, won the 36-hole gross tournament by two strokes over with Avila Golf and CC III following their second round score of 143. The two teams were tied on 142 after the first round but yesterday Avila shot a 145 to finish two strokes short.

Three other teams, Chateau Elan, Eisenhower GC and Thomson CC I, finished tied for third on 289, four strokes out of first place.

Chateau Elan, the defending gross champions, gave up one title but improved their chances of landing another when they cut a five stroke deficit in the net division to force a two-way tie for first place with first-day leader Avila G&CC III.

Chateau Elan, of Braselton, Georgia who are led by Bunky Henry, shot the day's best net score of 128 to move from third in the standings to share the lead with Avila G&CC III on 259 after two of the three days of competition. Avila pro Jim Blanks thinks there is going to be an exciting finish to the 54 hole championship on Friday.

"Chateau Elan have been a favourite for the last five years that I know about,'' said Blanks yesterday.

Blanks thinks a 14 or 14 under par round could clinch it and is hopeful his team can make a strong challenge on the last day. "We're going to work for that anyway,'' he says.

While Blanks is playing in his eighth Pro-Am, his three teammates Allen Reeves, Tom Douglas and Peter Emmanuel, are participating in the tournament for the first time.

"My amateurs had never seen the golf course until Sunday but they played so well on Monday,'' Blanks pointed out. "The wind changed its course to the northeast and it made the par fives very difficult to reach.

"The pin placements were also very difficult compared to Monday. It's going to be a good test, Fritz and Joan (Reiter) have done a wonderful job. I think the greens will get quicker tomorrow. It'll be a great finish.'' Rolling Road Golf Club, who were a stroke behind the net leaders after Monday's opening round, slipped to fifth overall following their 138 round yesterday which leaves them six strokes behind the leaders.

The top 14 in the net field survived a cut after yesterday's second round..

The tournament breaks for the Charity Pro-Am today and the Amateur and Professional Championships tomorrow.