BERNARDSTON — Crumpin-Fox Club has earned many awards for its spectacular and challenging 18-hole course over the three decades it has been in operation.

That said, winning prestigious awards also causes a perception that the course is too expensive for area residents to play.

CFC wants to change that perception, and has come up with a solution to increase local interest in the game.

It’s called the Grow the Game campaign, and Crumpin-Fox first-year assistant professional John Jackson said it was designed to allow residents of Franklin County the opportunity to play one of the top 100 public-access courses that practically sits in their backyard.

Jackson said that the program — expected to start as early as Saturday — is straightforward: any resident of Franklin County can play Crumpin-Fox for $45 with a cart anytime after noon through the remainder of the 2016 season (or $30 for 9 holes with a cart). Additionally, children age 12 and under play for free with an adult.

Proof of residency can be in the form of a driver’s license or state-issued ID, he added.

“Golf is a business and anytime you approach an owner with the word “free” there are always nerves,” said Jackson. “Tim (Sandri Companies CEO Tim Van Epps) is committed to growing the game and rewarding our local golfers, and he didn’t even blink at the idea. He was all for it.”

Head professional Jim McDonald said that tee times are recommended due to the course’s popularity, but it is not uncommon in the late afternoon to have space available for walk-ons.

The club will also offer local folks a 20 percent discount on all apparel and 10 percent off any clubs in their award-winning pro shop.

“It’s very similar to how Bethpage approached their locals,” said Jackson, referring to the highly-acclaimed New York City area course that hosted the 2002 and 2009 U.S. Opens. “They can play a top 100 course for far less than the normal rate.”

He added that he’s most proud about the club’s management group approving children under 12 to play for free.

“Hopefully, it will build golf in Franklin County and allow people who have always been under the impression that Crumpin-Foz is too expensive for them to play the course,” he said. “Exclusivity has hurt golf’s popularity substantially, and we don’t want to keep people away from Crumpin-Fox.”

McDonald said the staff at CFC is always discussing ways to grow the game locally, but at the same time provide the top-notch service that customers have come to expect at The Fox. He hopes that part appeals to the locals.

“People are going to Greenwich (Conn.), Boston and other places to play here once a year, but what I thought was great was reaching out to people right here, reintroduce them to the course, and maybe they might eventually join the club,” said McDonald. “We strive to have the best conditions, pro shop, food … we want them to be wowed when they walk in. We hope they feel the conditions are amazing, they can get whatever they need here, and hope they want to come back as often as possible and make it a regular stop.”