Golf pros offer tips to Special Olympics athletes

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Some of the best golfers in the world gave tips to the U.S. Special Olympics golf team at Griffith Park Tuesday.

"It means the world [to be] getting lessons from a pro themselves because you see them on TV and then when you see them up close and personal...it's great," said Special Olympian Tessa Katheentrja.

Web Simpson, 2012 U.S. Open Champion, said he enjoys being able to help the athletes.

"They're just a bunch of special people. They love golf. They're enthusiastic about life and a lot of times people might think they're coming here to encourage or help, but I think the athletes here do the help and encouragement to others," Simpson said.

The U.S. Special Olympics World Games is coming to L.A. this summer, specifically at the golf course in Griffith Park.

Golf is a sport of precise mechanics and even though some Special Olympics athletes have some type of physical limitation, PGA Tour pro Ben Crane said there is no limitation to the mind.

"It's so important how we talk to ourselves and self-talk is just so important in every walk of life, but especially on the golf course. So that's something that we can say, 'You know it's not how you respond to the good shots, it's how you respond to the bad ones,'" he added.