FOND memories of a city golf club have come flooding back for many people following its sudden closure.

As reported in the Worcester News, Tolladine Golf Club closed on Sunday, May 14, after racking up debts of more than £125,000.

Former members of the 108-year-old club were deeply saddened to read of its demise in the Worcester News, and called us to share the memories of their time there.

Linda Bunn, aged 75, of Castlemorton, near Malvern, said: "My father, Samuel Daniel was a member for many years, as were other members of my family.

"My uncle was also groundsman up there.

"I started playing golf there with my father until I married. It was a great social club, there was great company and everyone was very friendly."

Mrs Bunn's cousin, Roger Daniel recalled fond memories of playing golf with his father, Frederick Daniel.

"My father was there before the war - he worked up there as a child to earn pocket money, as a caddy and cleaning shoes," said the 71-year-old, of Malvern.

He said his father was so keen to take up golf, he used sticks and iron bars, before a kind-hearted company gave him an old set of clubs.

"I have lovely memories of playing golf with dad and others," he said.

"The original boys were a lovely bunch.

"When I started we had a wheelbarrow and a push mower - everything was mowed and raked by hand.

"The course was beautiful back then. I'm very disappointed that it's closed and it's very sad to see it go."

Ken Davies, of Fernhill Heath, near Worcester played there as a child.

"My father was captain there before and after the war and my uncle was captain in the 50s," said the 75-year-old.

"It was a well loved club in the 40s, during the war.

"A lot of people don't realise that two bombs dropped on it."

Dorothy Milner's late husband, Ted, was a member for around 40 years and the social club was the scene of many family gatherings, including Dorothy's surprise 70th birthday party.

"Ted had a handicap of six and won a lot of prizes," said Mrs Milner, now 77 and mother of five.

"We had a Royal Worcester plate and a big collection of crystal trophies, including fruit dishes, rose bowls, decanters and glasses.

"I can see the ninth tee from my window in Avon Road and I used to watch through my binoculars for him appearing on his second round. Then I knew he would be home for dinner in about 10 minutes."

Daughter Jeanette Gardner, of Avon Close, remembers going to the social club every Friday evening with her mother and father.

"My daughter, Dawn, who is now 28, used to draw the winning number for the monthly Hundred Club draw when she was barely tall enough to reach the drum," she said.

Mr Milner died in 1992, aged 74, 18 months after losing the use of his left arm while playing in a competition. It was the first sign that he had motor neurone disease.

Until his illness, he helped look after the golf course, getting up at 5am to swish the dew off the greens or turn on the sprinklers, according to the season.

Son Paul, aged 51, of Portefields Road, now also plays golf, using his father's trolley.