NATCHEZ — More than 20 local youth participated in the first annual Norman Puckett Natchez Junior Golf Championship Monday morning at the Duncan Park Golf Course.

The younger kids played three holes while the older kids played eight holes. And everyone who played had a good time. And all players received a trophy from Natchez Mayor Jake Middleton.

Originally, there were supposed to have been trophies given out to the first-, second- and third-place winners both the 9-12 and 13-17 age divisions. Instead, Duncan Park golf course superintendent Greg Brooking decided to change that.

“It’s better than I thought it would be. It exceeded my expectations,” Brooking said. “The children were so happy. They had a good time, and I gave the kids as many golf balls as they wanted.”

Among those who played among the day’s stars were Phillip Roberts, who shot a 17 in three holes; Taylor McGlothin, a soon-to-be senior at Cathedral and a member of the Green Wave golf team, who shot a 35 over eight holes; and 11-year-old Lydia McClatchy, who had a 60 over eight holes.

“I felt alright. I haven’t played since May,” McGlothin said. “I was just out there having fun. They (the greens) were rolling fast.”

“I had 100 percent fun. I played OK, but not my best. But I had a lot of fun,” McClatchy said. “Greens were perfect. They were awesome. Service was awesome.”

Brooking said he was so impressed with the number of girls — six — who played in this tournament that there will be a Girls Junior City Championship next March that will coincide with the Boys Junior Golf Championship.

“There was enough interest in junior girls golf (to have this),” Brooking said. “Next summer we’ll have Junior Golf League play, where we’ll have a tournament once a week or once a month.”

Brooking said this tournament could not have been possible without the help of many people.

“It’s not just me. It’s Charlie Daniels, who is a member out here. It’s the mayor. It’s the parents. It takes a commitment. There were 40 people out here supporting 21 kids.”

Parker Yelverton said his uncle, the late Norman Puckett, would have enjoyed watching this tournament.

“He played golf for 70 years. He played golf until his last breath,” Yelverton said. “I thought it was awesome to see these kids out here who just started playing golf two weeks ago have a lot of potential. Clay Arnold, Tom Bryant and Greg … those kids are in good hands. They care about the kids.”