Business and industry leaders were honored Friday by theBrookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce during a luncheon atthe Brookhaven Country Club.

“This is just to show our appreciation to local businesses andindustries. It’s a good time for folks to come out, have fun andenjoy the weather,” said Cliff Brumfield, executive director of thechamber.

Weather, in fact, played a big role in moving the event from itstraditional August date to late October, he said. The change wasnot made because of Hurricane Katrina and her effect on the area,but rather as an attempt to offer the event out of the swelteringheat typical of August.

Katrina’s rampage through Mississippi has had an effect on theevent this year, however, Brumfield said. An unusually large numberof the day’s participants are from state and federal agencies,including representatives from Sens. Trent Lott’s and ThadCochran’s offices and several hurricane recovery staff members ofthe Mississippi Development Authority.

The day also featured two separate sporting events forparticipants to enjoy.

The morning opened with a tennis tournament that pitted 32players against each other on four courts. The tournament concludedaround midday.

A golf tournament lasted most of the day with 52 playersparticipating in a four-man scramble.

Approximately $1,000 in prizes was awarded to the winners in thetournaments, Brumfield said.