NATCHEZ — When golfers tee it up at the 37th annual Bill McKinney City Golf Championship at Duncan Park Golf Course, they’ll be playing by a new set of rules — the rules of golf.

For the first time, the tournament will be using rules set by the United States Golf Association, in particular, the rule that states players must play the ball where it lies if it is in play.

In previous years, players were allowed to move their ball after a shot if it landed in a less than desirable place, say, next to a tree, in a hole or in a dirt patch. However, this year players won’t have that luxury.

And the reason for that is the pristine condition the golf course is in at Duncan Park.

“In the past, the condition of the course was such that the fairways weren’t in perfect shape,” Duncan Park certified course supervisor Greg Brooking said. “In the past, you could hit a perfect shot in the middle of the fairway and have it land in a hole or in a dirt spot. The course is in the condition now that wherever the ball lands, there’s no reason to move it, it’s in a good lie.”

Brooking said that the tournament will have a new dimension to it this year because of the new rules.

“It’s going to add a new perspective to this tournament,” Brooking said. “The player who hits it the straightest and keeps it out of the rough is going to win this tournament.”

Brooking said that the course is in the best shape its ever been in.

“I remember that when we were kids, we’d say ‘Let’s go out to Duncan Rock’ because there was a lot of dirt,” Brooking said. “We’ve worked hard to get the course in this condition. We want to be as good a municipal course as you can have in Mississippi. We are starting to have a really fine golf course we can be proud of.”

And the condition of the course has brought out the city’s best golfers.

“We have all the top players in Natchez in this tournament,” Brooking said. “We should see quite a game. Anyone who’s an avid golf fan should enjoy coming out and watching some of the golfers.”

Tournament director Dick Walcott is also expecting an entertaining golf tournament.

“It’s a fun golf course to play,” Walcott said. “I think we’ll have some good scores. There will be a true city champion this year (because of the new rules.) Usually the best player does win and that will definitely be the case this year.”