Introducing young kids to the sport of golf has long been a focus for Jeff Chambers and the Elmwood Golf & Country Club.

On Wednesday, the Club was recognized for its hard work.

Golf Canada announced that the Elmwood Golf & Country Club was the 2016 recipient of the Future Links Facility of the Year award.

"There are a few of us out there that really want to grow the game," said Head Professional at Elmwood Jeff Chambers. "We truly want kids to play this great game.

"I have made a living doing it and I love this game. I want every young person to try and play golf. I want the whole family here at the golf club, being able to spend some time in the great outdoors, learning a great game all about respect, and learning some great values, not only on the golf course but in life in general."

Chambers, a five-time Saskatchewan Junior Promoter of the Year and the 2010 recipient of the Jack McLaughlin National award as Junior Leader of the Year, along with Elmwood have seen tremendous growth in their Junior Links program over the years.

"In the past, I have been the one who has got the awards, but I have always felt the reason why I am able to get such a big junior following is because of Elmwood," he said. "Now Elmwood is finally established, it's known as the golf club for junior golfers and that makes me very excited."

In the last nine years, the program has grown from 60 participants to 340 per year.

"When I came back to Elmwood (after spending five years as the Provincial Golf Coach for Saskatchewan), it was nine years ago now, it was a turning point," Chambers said. "We grew the program up and got 160 kids right off the bat.

"We've just never looked back, and I realized I loved seeing the kid's expressions out on the golf course. We have spent a lot of money of special golf equipment to make things fun, we have dedicated our weekends to junior golf. The membership has welcomed it, the golf course has welcomed it and the parents love it. They love seeing their kids out on the course."

Developing and growing the sport among the younger audience is not just about getting them out to Elmwood though.

Chambers has gone from school to school throughout the province to promote the game as well.

He notes though, one key ingredient for success is to not only appeal to the kids, but to their parents as well.

"We wanted something for the kids, but not just for the kids, something for families," he said. "That is what was really important to me. Every Sunday of the year, after 1:00pm, we invite parents, or grandparents, or uncles or aunts, it doesn't matter, to bring out kids, and the kids play for free."

While the kid plays for free, the Sunday afternoon only costs the adult $15.

The Elmwood Golf and Country Club is the fourth Canadian golf club to receive the Future Links Facility of the Year award.