Jim Sykes, Golf Professional at The Landings Club, has been named to U.S. Kids Golf's annual list of Top 50 Kids Teachers. The Award recognizes the world's most outstanding youth golf instructors, and Sykes is part of a select group that earned Top 50 accolades among nearly 350 applicants.

Since 2004, U.S. Kids Golf has honored the best youth golf teachers with the Top 50 Kids Teacher Award. Applicants complete an online survey and winners are chosen based on their contributions to youth golf, such as: experience young golfers; time devoted to teaching youth; innovation, creativity and fun in their programs; communication; parental involvement; use of a well-organized instruction program and overall effort to grow the game.

This represents Sykes' second honor on the Top 50 list; golf professionals earning three Awards on the Top 50 list earn the coveted Master Kids Teacher title, the highest level achievement in youth golf instruction. Sykes currently leads youth golf programming alongside three-time winner and Master Kids Teacher Nicole Weller at The Landings Club. Sykes, Weller and team have been instrumental in the surge in youth golf interest, growth and success at the private residential golf club in Savannah, Georgia. Six of the 16 golf professionals currently serving at the Club's six championship golf courses are certified U.S. Kids Coaches, with another six currently working toward this achievement.

"My only goal is to interest more young golfers in the game," said Sykes. "What they do with it is up to them. Sharing golf with children teaches many life lessons beyond the sport, including setting long and short term goals, emotion management, manners, sportsmanship, focus and self-sufficiency."

The Top 50 Kids Teachers of 2016 includes golf professionals from 26 states, Canada, England and Kenya. Each year, award recipients include teachers who work at public, private, resort and municipal courses.

"These coaches are honored as more than instructors," explained Dan Van Horn, the President and Founder of U.S. Kids Golf. "They create outstanding opportunities for young golfers to learn in a fun and rewarding environment that instills a love for the game and engages the entire family.  Their ability to connect with students and fully engage them in the learning process sets them apart."