NATCHEZ &8212; Marvin Gray is teaching the game of golf this week to a special group of athletes &8212; ones who do not fit the stereotype of your average golfer.

Although these golfers work as hard as any at perfecting their swing, they could care less what score they shoot. They do not throw their clubs, or curse at bad shots like most golfers. Instead, they smile and laugh about it, as if the slice, missed put, or ball lost in the water was as funny as the first time they had ever missed a golf ball.

One might think that Gray&8217;s Special Olympics golf clinic for developmentally challenged athletes would be quite a challenge to both the golf professional and to those receiving the lessons, but enthusiasm has a way of being so infectious that it makes even the most difficult of tasks a real joy.

&8220;There is no question as to who gets more out of this. Them or me? It&8217;s me. These kids have touched my heart in a way I can&8217;t describe.&8221;

Although Gray claims he is the one who enjoys the clinic the most, just by watching the kids it is hard not to make the argument that they are the ones reaping all the fun.

&8220;I&8217;m Tiger Woods,&8221; Rosekita Johnson said, as she danced in celebration after sinking a lengthy putt.

Johnson is one of several Special Olympians, who has participated in Gray&8217;s annual clinics and golf tournaments over the last two years.

&8220;She loves it,&8221; Roosevelt Johnson, Rosekita&8217;s father, said. &8220;I don&8217;t play myself but she enjoys it enough for the two of us.&8221;

Chandler Warren, another one of the athletes in Gray&8217;s clinic, is bashful about his motivations for playing golf.

&8220;I like the girls,&8221; Moore said after hesitating. For the last two tournaments, Moore was paired with Mary Kate Byrne, a recent graduate of Cathedral School. However, after watching Moore smile over one of his better shots it&8217;s hard to believe he&8217;s in it just for the ladies.

Golf is a way that Moore and his dad get to spend extra time with each other, earlier this year at the 2006 Adult-Junior Tournament Chandler and his dad won the Most Fun Award.

&8220;We really do have a good time together,&8221; Ricky Warren, Chandler&8217;s dad said. &8220;I&8217;m a golfer too, and it is nice to see Chandler out there enjoying the same game that I have had fun playing over the years.&8221;

Sadie Saunders, another participant in the clinic, enjoys the game of golf as much as her peers, and has been working at it for over eight years. Saunders takes her athletic endeavors quite seriously.

Saunders says she enjoys two things about the game of golf.

&8220;It&8217;s fun, and Marvin (Gray) is nice,&8221; Saunders said.

Gray has taught the clinics for two years now, but credits John Weeks, a golf professional who manages several courses in north Mississippi, for his initial involvement with Special Olympics Athletes.

Weeks became involved with Special Olympics in the late 80s, and said that working with special athletes has been the most rewarding part of his golfing career.

&8220;In this business you teach golf at every level, but you will never find anyone more rewarding to teach the game to,&8221; Weeks said. &8220;Maybe it is because there is more hugging and high-fiving, or maybe it is fact that you&8217;re working with people, who genuinely get what golf is all about, and are just happy to be out there.&8221;