The Southern Pines-Pinehurst-Aberdeen area will be flooded with youngsters again this summer when the U.S. Kids Golf Championship returns for a second engagement.

Meanwhile, the organization has named Pinehurst native Chris Haarlow one of America's Top 50 Kids Teachers.

Haarlow, who is with Precision Golf School in Greensboro, is included on a list of top teachers that was compiled from nominations by golf professionals and other industry representatives. The selection criteria included success in organizing and administering youth programs, as well as teaching.

The Top 50 list includes teachers in 26 states (California leads with five teachers), Washington, D.C., and the United Kingdom, who work at public, private, resort and municipal courses. In addition, 64 teachers received honorable mention.

Through the Personal Tee Golf Learning Program and its local tours, regional championships and the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship at Pinehurst, U.S. Kids Golf also provides opportunities for instruction and competition.

Anyone wanting more information can call (888) 3 US KIDS or visit the company's Web site at www.uskidsgolf.com.

Golf professionals who focus on developing young golfers in their communities make up the third annual listing of America's Top 50 Kids Teachers. The Atlanta-based company manufactures golf equipment, develops instructional programs and conducts competitive events for kids.

The announcement came at the 2007 PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Fla.

The Precision Golf School's Junior Academy operated by Haarlow is a year-round, multi-level program that offers introductory to advanced golf instruction.

The advanced program is designed to prepare high school golfers seeking to play collegiate golf by providing professional golf swing instruction with physical training sessions, swing analysis and mental training.

Dan Van Horn, founder and president of U.S. Kids Golf, said Haarlow and the other professionals inducted into the America's Top 50 have made a "commitment to helping kids not only learn the game of golf, but also develop a love for the game that lasts far beyond their days in junior golf.

"The contributions of professionals who focus their time and energy on developing youth are often overlooked by the golf industry and sometimes even at their own course," Van Horn said. "This recognition is not only well deserved, but long overdue."

More information about each of the Top 50 teachers is available on the U.S. Kids Golf Web site. Click on Learning the Game to help youngsters and parents find teachers in their area whose programs focus on youth.

About 1,000 young golfers are expected to participate in the championship on several area golf courses this summer.