TWO years ago Clowance Golf Course was on its last legs – membership was down and green fees were falling off. Course maintenance had slipped and then the owner gave up the franchise.

The few remaining members were faced with the bleak possibility of finding a new club.

However, Chris Wharton took over and breathed new life into the course at Praze-an-Beeble. Since then, the club has gone from strength to strength, adding new members who work together, committed to building a better future.

Treasurer and vice-captain Mick Yould said: "We're not like big clubs where you are just a number. Here, everybody knows everybody and we all get involved – even the wives come along and help out.

"Many of us are involved with the committees, even our groundskeeper works free of charge – he gets to play golf for cutting the grass."

Atmosphere

A strong group atmosphere has grown at the club, fuelled by the knowledge of what they nearly lost.

In 2008 the club had reached its lowest ebb. Mr Yould said: "We were down from maybe 55 members in 2007 to about five or six.

"One day there were a few of us walking down the fairway when Michelle from Seasons Holidays, which owns the estate the course is on, came over and started a conversation."

She said the franchise was up but added there was someone interested in taking it on, golf professional Chris Wharton.

Mr Yould said: "A lot of time and effort has gone into the course, we're getting new machinery and all of the members have been involved."

Those efforts include work on the clubhouse where those with trades have worked free of charge – for the good of the club.

Their good work has been rewarded and attendance is rising. Mr Yould said: "From when we were getting eight members turning up for competitions, it is quite possible for us to get 26 or even up to 40 people coming along now."

Franchise owner Mr Wharton said: "The last year has been fantastic, it has grown beyond what I thought it could and they are a great bunch.

"We started out with just a few members but we're now pushing 60.

State

"It was in a state when I took over but everyone has helped out – I've never experienced anything like it in my life."

Clowance Golf Club hosted its annual captain's day on Sunday, with all proceeds going to the St Julia's Hospice Build A Vision appeal.

Last year's event made more than £500 and they are already well on the way to breaking that figure.