By Daniela Toporek for the Ponte Vedra Recorder

An inflatable green gorilla loomed large for all to see at Sawgrass Country Club on March 11 as the Tesori Family Foundation hosted another All-Star Kids Clinic for children with special needs, presented by THE PLAYERS Championship.

The golf clinic, founded by PGA TOUR player Paul Tesori and his wife Michelle, offered one-on-one professional golf instruction for children with special needs ages 8-18 and a day outdoors featuring PGA TOUR professional and 2018 Players Champion Webb Simpson.

VIP golfer All-Stars were also joined by several PGA TOUR players and caddies that coached them through the clinic. 

“Good shot! Way to go! You hit some good ones!,” said Mark Thomas, volunteer at the clinic who was cheering for the children alongside his wife, Jan.

“The kids are just wonderful to be around,” Jan said. “They’re so positive and they lift your spirits. They’re just wonderful.”

One of the kids, Wesley Zekas, practiced his swing using a Power Tee automatic teeing system alongside instructor Robert Young.

“I love this clinic,” Young said, rushing to make sure he wasn’t missing any time with the kids as they switched practice stations. “Paul is such a great guy for putting this on. These kids are fantastic, God bless them.”