By Justin Whitmore

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — Dozens of golfers gathered at Duncan Park Saturday for a very special event.

The annual Special Olympics Area 7 Golf Tournament saw 35 four-man teams and approximately 15 special athletes compete in a golf tournament designed to raise money for the Area 7 Special Olympics team.

The event, which raises money to help the special Olympians to travel to local, state, regional and national events, was a great success said tournament director Ricky Warren.

“This is the only fundraiser for Special Olympics area 7,” Warren said. “Every area is responsible for raising money (so teams can go to events).”

The Area 7 Special Olympics Team represents Adams, Jefferson, Franklin and Wilkinson counties, Warren said.

Past events have raised money for athletes to participate in events like last week’s state summer games in Biloxi and last year’s National Special Olympics in Omaha, Neb., Warren said.

Warren said that the golf tournament is a very effective way for the Area 7 team to raise money.

“People love to play golf and most (of the golfers) who get to play with a (special) athlete say it is the most fun they have ever had (on a golf course),” Warren said.

Warren said the athletes love to play and the golfers enjoy being out with the athletes and teaching them about the game.

Warren said Duncan Park has always been good to the Area 7 team, so they continue to have the event there.

“They basically turn the course over to us,” Warren said.

This year’s event had even more teams, 35, than last year’s, 28, and forced the tournament directors to change the format to have two flights. One flight started at 8:30 a.m. and the second started at 1 p.m.

The event also featured a ball drop with a first prize of $3,000 and a second prize of $500.

Warren said his son Chandler has played in the event every year and he loves the game of golf.

Chandler won first place in the second flight, Ricky said.

Chandler said he played good Saturday. He also is a two-time gold medalist in bocce.

Athlete Rosekita Johnson also participated in the festivities Saturday.

“I love playing golf, and I love swimming and playing basketball,” Johnson said.

When asked which is her favorite, she responded:

“All of them.”

Johnson also said that the lunch provided by the Adams County and Concordia Parish Sheriff Departments along with Big Mama’s Barbecue was very good, and she enjoyed hanging out with her friends and playing golf.

The event also featured a silent auction, goodie bags, refreshments and door prizes.

Natchez Bus Terminal won the morning flight in a playoff, edging out Taco Bell. Both teams shot 52.

The winners received gift cards from Walmart, one of the several sponsors of the tournament.

“This is a very wonderful event,” said Lou Ann Jordan, mother of athlete Ashlyn Jordan. “She loves it, seeing all her friends and golfing.”

Ashlyn played with her father Chandler on the Bryant Hammett and Associates team Saturday.