Golf balls will dominate the skyline this weekend at theBrookhaven Country Club. Over 100 junior golfers are scheduled toparticipate in the first Mississippi/Louisiana JuniorChampionship.

After a practice round today, tournament play begins Saturdaymorning. The 2-day event concludes Sunday afternoon with the awardsceremony.

Some of the best young golfers from the Mississippi Junior GolfAssociation and the Gulf States Junior Tour, composed mainly ofgolfers from Louisiana, are entered. Brookhaven Country clubmanager and PGA professional Ronny Ross conceived the MS/LA tourneyidea and the interest has been encouraging.

“We have over 100 kids signed up,” said Ross Thursday. “We couldget a few more late entries.”.

The 36-hole tournament starts Saturday morning. The age 12-undergolfers will start on the back 9 and play 9 holes each day. Parentsare allowed to caddy for the 9-under players.

The younger players will use the up-tees or closer tee boxes.They will play two 9-hole rounds. Age 12 and up will play two18-hole rounds from the black tees.

“We have several local players in the tournament,” said Ross. Inthe 9-under group, Sawyer Watts, Clay Crozier, Chase Crozier, DylanWinborne and Caleb Windham are representing Brookhaven.

Other area players: In the 10-11 group, Jacob Ross is entered.In 12-13, Billy Henley, Jennings Mills and Hunter Hood arecompeting.

In 15-16, Perry Katherine Furr, Shae Smith, James Michael Pattiand Jake Smith are entered. In 16-18, Jeffrey White, GrantMcDonnieal, Austin Mills, John Rushing, Warren Hood, Will Hodgesand Kelly Cooney are chasing the top prize

A $200 scholarship will be presented to the winner of each18-hole age division.

The BCC is a challenging par-70 course, measuring 6,319 yardsfrom the black tees.

“The competition level is probably the best we’ve seen allyear,” said Ross. “We have some kids from Louisiana who are verygood. Most of the kids that finished tops in Mississippi arecoming, too. We should see some good golf.

“I’d really like to thank our major sponsors, Entergy andTrustmark Bank,” said Ross. “They are furnishing each player with anew pair of golf shoes.”

The $80 entry fee includes lunch and refreshments each day ofthe tourney. “We want the kids to leave here well-fed and happy,”said Ross.

His son, 10-year-old Jacob Ross, is fresh from winning a GulfStates junior tournament at Sherwood Forest Country Club in BatonRouge, La. He shot an 82 in the 10-11 division, winning by onestroke.

Jacob recently won the MJGA state tournament at Greenwood in a1-hole playoff. “My driver is working pretty good right now,” saidRoss. “My sand wedge has done real good.”

In the state tournament, Jacob holed a 65-yard sand wedge shotfor an eagle.

McDonnieal, a powerful driver, is a 2005 graduate of BrookhavenHigh School and medalist for his BHS team. He also played center onthe state championship football team and first base on thePanthers’ state title baseball team of 2004.

“It feels good to be playing this tournament on your homecourse,” said McDonnieal. “That should give us an advantage.”

McDonnieal (6-1,250) has elected to bypass a footballscholarship at Copiah-Lincoln Community College in favor of a golfscholarship at Co-Lin. He and Ross both won MJGA titles in atournament held at Meridian last month.

“I’ve been in five tournaments this summer and finished secondtwice,” said McDonnieal. “I’ve been practicing more and my shortgame is better.”