Herman King holds the first round leadin the Championship Flight at the Harvest Club’s Golf Tournament after firing a 71 at Duncan Park Golf Course Saturday.

The final round will be held today beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Henry Pointer of Zachary, La., holds a one-stroke lead over Dave Raby and Herman King, both of New Orleans.

Kevin Smith of Natchez is one stroke back at 72.

Wilbert Shelton of Baton Rouge, La., at 73. Greg Brooking of McComb, and former NFL All-Pro Willie Richardson of Jackson are at 74. Herbert Schafford of Bastrop, La., is at 75.

Brooking is the tournament’s defending champion.

Richardson was an All-Pro receiver at Baltimore after a stellar career at Jackson State.

&uot;I missed this tournament last year, but I’ve been coming 20 years,&uot; Richardson said. &uot;Some friends of mine told me about it. There’s nothing like golf with some good friends.&uot;

Bill Byrne of Natchez, Lewis Sibley of Phoenix, Ariz., and Robert Simpson of Mobile, Ala., are at 75, while Arthur Bishop of Houma, La., is at 76.

The first round was played under sunny skies, although a northerly wind invaded the course late in the evening.

&uot;It was a nice day, but I wasn’t nice out there,&uot; E.C. Everett said of his 83.

This year’s event, the 25th to be held by the Harvest Club, is dedicated to the founding members.

&uot;We’ve got 80-plus players,&uot;&160;said Harvest Club director Eddie West. &uot;And we have them from as far as Pensacola, Florida, Birmingham and Baton Rouge. &uot;This year’s event is for all of the guys who came ahead of us and taught us the ropes.&uot;

Cooler conditions today could make for some interesting scores, West said.

&uot;It could have a big effect,&uot; he said. &uot;The ball doesn’t travel as far and the wind can play havoc with it.&uot;

A junior clinic was also held prior to the tournament.

The Harvest Club was founded as a Social Club in the early 1970s, promoting the social well-being of minorities in the community.

The club contributes to several charities, including the American Cancer Society and Heart Fund.

The Harvest Club was founded by the late Charles Gaines, and the late Albert Carr, both avid golfers, which led to the Harvest Golf Club Tournament in 1975, the club’s only fund-raiser.