First of all please describe what type of tournament you were fishing, a draw, a team, a club, or a pro-am? Each has a different set of typical rules on how each is expected to fish their position.
If it's draw tournaments then each is normally required to have certain "front end" time or first shot at their waters. Team tournaments, it's all fair in love and war depending upon your partner and how you fish together. In Pro-am's the pro has control of the boat at all times and is probably prohibited from fising from the back deck as the Am is typically prohibited from fishing from the front deck. The Pro can position the boat as he deems necessary and the Am is more or less left to fish what he can. This is where the ability to fish different lures, accurate casts, and your ability will pay off.
I wonder if this was a club tournament as it's not very often you draw a friend in either draws or Pro-Am formats.
A little more information please.....