BACK in the late 1980s when a group of golfing enthusiasts gathered on Wednesday mornings to trundle round Perdiswell's nine-hole municipal course they can have scarcely imagined where their in-auspicious beginnings would lead.

For a little over ten years later their energy and enthusiasm led to the creation of an English Golf Union affiliated club and eventually an 18 hole course, which stands proudly in 85 acres of parkland.

If small is beautiful then Perdiswell Park Golf Club could, in years to come when its 3,500 trees start to flourish, become a little gem of a course.

Its history as a club has its roots with the 55+ Golfing Society, which was formed "to stimulate good fellowship and a liking of sport" as its first chairman, Wallace Pearce, put it.

The club derives its friendly and accessible approach to the days when the fifty somethings first came together.

Many, like founder member, Tony Pearce, were members of golfing clubs but enjoyed the spirit of camaraderie they found at Perdiswell.

"You didn't have to ring anybody up, you just knew a reasonable number of friends would be there for a pleasant morning's golf," he said.

"It was nice in that it didn't have the formality of a private club, which often gets a bit boring with people striking attitudes of one sort or another."

Perdiswell Park is certainly not linked to any stereotypical golfing cliches.

"It's more about the spirit than the kudos," said club president, Derek Rogers.

"We try to keep it a friendly meeting sort of club."

In the 1990s as the society flourished, becoming an affiliated member of the EGU became a natural progression but it required a lot of work.

"The club took the initiative and it involved things like writing local rules, defining water hazards and even designing score cards," said Derek.

Then in 1994-95 the ownership of the course came into the hands of Glendale Leisure who decided to improve the club and make it an 18 hole course, which opened in 2000.

Club pro, Mark Woodward, a Class A PGA professional, has overseen the transformation of Perdiswell from a nine to 18 hole course.

"It used to be quite mundane as a nine-hole and the greens weren't up to much but since the redevelopment we've had new greens, 3,500 trees planted and a water feature added to the 17th," he said.

The club has a membership of around 220 but are particularly keen to attract more youngsters to the game.

"We need new blood to come through and I'm keen to introduce youngsters, to start encouraging them, so we can have more matches against other clubs," said Mark.

"We have managed to get prices down for youngsters so for £75 they can play unlimited golf until next July."

For more information about Perdiswell Park Golf Club call 01905 754668.