Teaching young golfers how they can enjoy the game – that’s the focus of a fifth-year clinic that will begin on Monday in Natchez.

The Junior Golf Academy, a four-day clinic open to players ages 9-18, will be taught by PGA Professional Marvin Gray at Duncan Park Golf Club.

&uot;They (students) respond to the clinic very well,&uot; Gray said. &uot;It’s just a fun time for people to come out and learn some of the things that will allow them to enjoy the game.&uot;

Response is so good in fact, Gray said there’s a good chance another clinic will be scheduled later this summer.

&uot;We’re already full for the younger group and if there’s enough entries – and it looks like there will be – we’ll have another clinic later in the season,&uot; Gray said on Friday.

Gray said instruction for the 9-12 age group will be held from 8 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The 13-18 age group will receive their instruction from 10 a.m. to noon.

&uot;We’re going to focus on the basic fundamentals,&uot; he said. &uot;We want to help kids learn the fundamentals and help build good habits.&uot;

Gray said the first day’s instruction will focus on the short game.

&uot;We’ll focus on the irons on the second day,&uot; he said. &uot;We’ll move to woods on the third day and rules and etiquette on the fourth day.&uot;

Gray pointed out more young people are becoming involved with golf every day.

&uot;It’s encouraging to see so much interest,&uot; he said. &uot;A lot of people are starting to realize that golf is the game of a lifetime.&uot;

He also said he’s received a lot of entries from women and that clinic is scheduled for the following week.

&uot;We’ll have a clinic for women the next week,&uot; he said. &uot;And will probably have another clinic later in the season for them also. It’s beginning to look like it’s going to be a busy summer.&uot;

Gray said he enjoys watching golfers play after the clinic and see their excited reactions.

&uot;It’s fun to see people experience the game and watch them feel a good shot,&uot; he continued. &uot;It’s great to see that smile of a lifetime.&uot;

Anyone wanting more information on the clinics, should call Duncan Park Golf Club at 442-5955.