An annual golf tournament whose proceeds helps support scholarships in Mississippi State's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences began Friday morning at the university course. This year's event is endowing a $50,000 award memorializing Rick Parsons of Vance, a 1970 alumnus and 2003 Mississippi Farmer of the Year who died in February. Displaying the endowment check are (l-r) Parson's son Scott, widow Carlisle and Jud Skelton, the college's development director.