The richest, largest sporting event in the Magnolia Statestarted this morning at the Annandale Golf Club. This year’sSouthern Farm Bureau Classic features 120 of the best golfers onthe PGA Tour. The big boys are back. They are chasing a first placeprize of $468,000 and a total purse of $2.6 million across theplush Madison County course.

Unfortunately, I had a previous commitment so the pros won’thave to worry about me winning some of that cash. I was scheduledto star in a shampoo commercial tomorrow. There’s also a bathroomgas heater which requires installation before Friday night’s coldspell arrives.

Besides, we would rather watch the event than compete.Heh-heh.

Cameron Beckman has returned to defend his SFBC championship.The new champion will be crowned Sunday afternoon. Bring a jacketand a hat to stay warm.

Last weekend’s heavy rainfall, followed by flood warnings onMonday, softened the Annandale course, making it extremelyvulnerable to birdies and some eagles. When the pros launch theirshots to the green, they can go for the hole.

Due to the moisture, the greens are soft. The ball won’t gospinning off the putting surface. Scores should be low.

Certainly, Birdies for Charity will benefit. This state-widefund-raising program allows the public to participate. Pledge cardshave been distributed. Individuals, businesses and corporations hadthe opportunity to pledge pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters anddollars toward the number of birdies shot during the SFBC.

Brookhaven’s King’s Daughters Foundation hosted a tournamentlast Friday to help promote the Birdies for Charity program. Eightygolfers participated in the rain-soaked affair. It already had beenpostponed once, due to Hurricane Lilli.

Professor Hoopla, B.S., was beginning to shrivel up due to allthe wet stuff. His tummy was so wrinkled, it resembled a giantprune.

Fortunately, Hoopla found some water-proof paper to scrawl hispredictions upon. They were damp but nevertheless on time forThursday’s edition of The Daily Leader. He predicted the winners of21 games last week, slipped in the muck and only got 14 right.

Here’s a preview of this weekend’s games, starting with twoThursday night, junior college specials.

Co-Lin at Pearl River: The Wildcats are too offensive for thevisiting Wolves Pearl River 35-17.

East Central at Southwest: Warriors have the most to gain with avictory in Summit. East Central 21-13.

Lawrence County at Brookhaven: It’s payback time on King Fieldas the Panthers avenge last year’s lopsided loss at Monticello.Brookhaven 28-16.

Riverfield (La.) at Brookhaven Academy: Cougars tackle a ClassAA powerhouse Friday night. Riverfield 30-13.

Bogue Chitto at Natchez Cathedral: The Green Wave has crested toa Class 1A state playoff berth. Cathedral 28-7.

Enterprise at Dexter: Yellow Jackets have their toughestopponents on the second half of the schedule. Dexter 26-14.

Loyd Star at McLaurin: Ambitious Hornets are hunting theirsecond straight win but the Tigers have too much bite. McLaurin21-7.

St. Aloysius at West Lincoln: Rebounding from a loss to Dexter,the Flashes take out their frustrations on the Bears. St. 24-7.

Wesson at Hinds AHS: A victory would give the Cobras somemomentum entering the Class 2A state playoffs. Wesson 30-12.

Crystal Springs at Hazlehurst: This ancient rivalry promises tobe an offensive show. Hazlehurst 33-22.

South Pike at McComb: In a battle for first place in the Region6-4A race, give a shaky nod to the Eagles. South Pike 24-21.

Wilkinson County at Franklin County: An old nemesis visits theBulldogs Friday night in Louie Mullins Memorial Stadium. FranklinCounty 28-14.

Copiah Academy at Bowling Green: The Colonels are in a tailspinand they crash in Franklinton, La. Bowling Green 24-12.

North Pike at Amite County: Jaguars find it hard to win inLiberty. Amite County 30-20.

Auburn at Ole Miss: Rebels are recruiting the National Guard tohelp shore up the ailing defense. Auburn 34-18.

Kentucky at Mississippi State: Can a healthy Kevin Fantquarterback a win over the Wildcats? State 28-23.

Jackson State at Arkansas-Pine Bluff: Tigers are another team insearch of a defense. Jackson State 31-20.

In other Magnolia State action, Valley State will ambush PrairieView 22-12, Belhaven will take Pikesville 21-20, Millsaps shouldedge Sewanee 17-14, Mississippi College should convert TexasLutheran 32-10, Delta State should shave Harding 21-17, andSouthern University should smash Alcorn State 38-19.