Calling the Pinehurst area “the perfect venue” to host its world championships, the U.S. Kids Golf Foundation announced Friday that it has extended the contract through 2016.

“The Pinehurst community and surrounding area has been an outstanding partner over the past seven years,” said Dan Van Horn, founder and president of U.S. Kids Golf.

Van Horn said several other communities have approached U.S. Kids Golf about hosting the championships.

However, “the support that we have received from the local courses, volunteers and the community in the Pinehurst area has been exceptional, and we believe we have chosen the perfect venue for our world championships.”

The championships — the largest and most prestigious for players ages 12 and under — were recently held at 12 golf courses in Moore County, including five of the eight courses at Pinehurst Resort.

Don Padgett II, the resort’s president, said it was “fitting” that U.S. Kids Golf has found a home for its championships.

“Pinehurst has hosted more individual championships than any other golf course in the world,” Padgett said. “The U.S. Kids Golf world championships are now part of the rich history and traditions of the area.”

This year, the two-week tournament brought more than 1,700 of the world’s finest junior golfers from 40 countries and all 50 states.

Caleb Miles, president and CEO of the Pinehurst-Southern Pines-Aberdeen Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, said the event’s annual economic impact exceeds $7 million.

“That is significant because it provides new revenues and supports thousands of tourism-related jobs here,” Miles said. “These championships represent a model partnership, and the envy of many other communities, but one that can never be taken for granted.”

The Teen World Champion-ship was played on Pinehurst Nos. 2, 4, 6 and 8, and Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club. The Kids World Championship was played on Pinehurst Nos. 3, 4 and 8, Southern Pines Country Club, Longleaf Golf and Country Club, Talamore Golf Resort, Mid Pines Inn and Golf Club, Midland Country Club, and Little River Golf Resort.

The U.S. Kids Golf Foundation, a Georgia-based nonprofit charity, was created in 2001 and provides services that include family involvement with competition and instruction.

The Foundation organizes more than 600 golf tournaments for kids each year, including local tours in more than 40 cities, 10 qualifiers across the nation, six regional championships, a European championship, and the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship and Teen World Champion-ship.

Contact Ted M. Natt Jr. at (910) 693-2474 or tnatt@the

pilot.com.