NATCHEZ &045; You’d think it would be the other way around.

It is natural to believe that when current and former legends in their respective sports pay a visit to a pack of starstruck children, the kids have the most to benefit.

But each year nets the same story from the Celebrity Players’ Tour event that is held at Beau Pr Country Club with the proceeds benefiting the Natchez Children’s Home.

These macho men that feed on testosterone as part of their professions turn into putty each annual excursion to the home after a day on the links.

There was last year when former NFL quarterback Stan Humphries and his wife felt inclined to adopt one of the children. Or the year when country-and-western singer Larry Gatlin sobbed as he blessed listeners at the Children’s Home with a Christmas song.

&uot;I remember when we were here with the T.C. (Jordan) and several players stayed that entire week at the Children’s Home,&uot; said Lee More, CPT public relations and special projects director. &uot;They ate with kids at every evening meal. Those guys at the end of the week ended up giving their winnings to the Children’s Home. We’re talking about fellows that live paycheck to paycheck.&uot;

The fourth annual celebrity golf outing is set for Monday with guests, such as PGA player and ESPN golf announcer Charlie Rymer, Major League Baseball umpire Joe West, former Jackson State Tiger and Houston Oiler Vernon Perry, former Georgia punter Dax Langley and LSU All-American Brian Kinchen.

Rymer is no stranger to Natchez, as he participated in and won the 1993 T.C. Jordan Tour stop at Belwood Country Club.

Including the evolution of the T.C Jordan into the Hooter’s Jordan, then the Hooter’s Tour and now the CPT &045; a separate entity &045; this marks the 12th straight year the Children’s Home has received donations from a day of golf.

&uot;At the end of the day we’re raising money for the Children’s Home, and the people in the community have always been a big help,&uot; Moore said. &uot;We’re giving the community a chance to meet these guys and vice versa.&uot;

He estimates these yearly events have raised more than $100,000 for the Children’s Home in the last decade.

As opposed to last year, this affair will be strictly one day, with a noon tee time, the trip to the Children’s Home to follow and a Monday Night Football party and auction that is open to the public.

A $500 sponsorship for a team of two includes lunch, golf and the party that night.

Moore, who first visited Natchez in 1991, said each return is like a family reunion.

While director Nancy Hungerford and her staff provided them with a safe haven, it’s impossible to replace a child’s biological parents.

Moore said a visit feels like you’re shining a light in an otherwise dark world.

&uot;It’s a reminder to everybody &045; (the golfers) all say the same thing &045; you want to do something,&uot; he said. &uot;To send a message that you’re aware of not just those children, but all children whose lives are not as simple.&uot;