INTRODUCTION TO PUTTING\Students get hot tips from golfing pros.

Byline: Enrique Rivero Daily News Staff Writer

Monday's gloomy skies couldn't darken Arturo Caro's sunny mood as he practiced his putting at the Tony Bennett Celebrity Pro-Am at the North Ranch Country Club.

Arturo had spent the entire trip from Santa Clarita chattering excitedly with others in his after-school program about their chance to play on a professional green. He was still excited nearly an hour after hitting a hole-in-one during a tutorial with a Ladies Professional Golf Association pro slated to play in the Pro-Am later that day.

"It was fun, hitting the ball," said the 16-year-old Valencia High School student, swinging an imaginary golf club to illustrate his technique.

Eight youngsters and adults with various disabilities from two National Easter Seal Society programs in Santa Clarita turned out for a few golf tips Monday morning as part of the daylong Easter Seal Society benefit sponsored by Enesco Corp.

The youngsters were taught golf basics by LPGA pros Robin Walton, Jenny Lidback, Barb Thomas-Whitehead and Jody Anchutz, who were among the professionals competing alongside film, television and music celebrities.

Monday's Pro-Am was the second in a series of Pro-Ams sponsored by Enesco, an Elk Grove Village, Ill., company that produces giftware and collectibles. The first was held in October in Lake Geneva, Wis. This is the company's first celebrity Pro-Am, company spokeswoman Susan Stoga said.

The company has raised about $24 million for Easter Seals over nine years.

For this second event, the company decided to include a short session to teach golf to the people who benefit from the tournament.

"It shows that anyone of various abilities can play golf," Stoga said.

The youngsters weren't about to let a chill breeze or an irritating drizzle keep them from enjoying themselves, said Debbie Davies, a quality assurance coordinator for Easter Seals.

"At first it didn't look like they were going to be out here for long," Davies said. "Now they're having so much fun."

Anchutz said that she enjoys teaching disabled youngsters the game because of their willingness to learn and their sometimes unexpected strength on the greens.

"They're not bad," she said. "They listen pretty good and they definitely like to have fun."

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PHOTO

Photo (1--Color only in Conejo and SAC editions) Pro golfer Barb Whitehead, left, congratulates Anna Aguilar, 13, of Canyon Country on a well done putt. (2--Color only in Conejo and SAC editions) Pro golfer Jody Anschutz, left, helps Sarah Seibt, 16, of Canyon Country with her putting.