NATCHEZ — The hot, humid mid-summer mornings of Southwest Mississippi haven’t kept 7-year-old Caid Malone from skipping even one day of the Norman Puckett Junior Golf Clinic at Duncan Park.

“I’ve never missed it,” Malone said.

He and approximately 20 other young golfers tapped golf balls back and forth on the practice green at Duncan Park Monday, learning from local instructors, a former high school player and course professional. This is the third year of the summer clinic.

PGA professional and camp instructor Jimmy Headrick said he is impressed by the dedication some of the young players show at such a young age.

“What Greg Brooking is doing here in Natchez is special,” Headrick said. “(The high turnout) is not common, and this is just the first class. My hat’s off to (course superintendent) Greg Brooking, I’m just here to offer my expertise.”

Graduated Cathedral golfer Kate Mayo also contributes to coaching at the camp. Camper Mallory Wallace, 10, said her coach — fresh out of high school — breaks the skill of putting down in an interesting what that has helped her improves when she goes to the camp each week.

“I’ve learned that putting is the most important thing about golf,” Wallace said. “When coach Kate works with me she makes it fun.”

While the campers said they spend most of their time putting, Tatum Brumfield, 6, said her favorite part of golf is chipping the ball onto the green.

The 6-year-old protégé said she spends some time on the golf course with family.

“(I learned) don’t push the ball (when I’m putting),” Brumfield said. “Sometimes I go to that golf course and play with my grandfather.”

Headrick said the instructors keep the youngsters engaged with competitions and work in small groups to give golfers individual instruction.

“Their attention span at 7 years old is about 10 minutes, so what we do are specific things that they can take ownership of,” Headrick said. “They’ve got to own it themselves, you can’t give them a book.”

Headrick, who has won several accolades for his effective youth golf instruction, said the clinics are about making an impression on young players in hopes some will grow up playing the sport.

“Our goal is to inspire them to play and look at golf as fun,” Headrick said.

The clinic met on its final Monday morning June 27 at the Duncan Park Golf Course.