Horsforth Golf Club has taken steps to secure its long term future by acquiring a new 99 year lease from Leeds City Council.

Members at a Special General Meeting fully supported the acquisition and many have made voluntary loans to the club to help meet the cost which is funded for the most part with a bank loan.

The Member's Loan will earn them discounts on their annual subscriptions.

Golf Club President Barrie Gill said: "This is an exciting time for the club. This step will allow us to develop a long-term strategy for further improvements to our facilities, although we are already well known for our fine course and clubhouse. We can now make plans for the future in the knowledge that we have long term security of tenure."

Club Captain Tony Greenhalgh said: "We want to encourage golfers in the area to come and share our future. New playing members in all categories are welcome to come and join the Golf Club.

"For non-golfers we have many superb social events and new social members are also welcomed."

One member who was recently honoured with Honorary Life Membership is Simon Hurd, currently making his name as a professional golfer and playing with distinction on the European Tour.

Simon learned his golf at Horsforth Golf Club. As an amateur he represented the club many times and gained city, county and international representative honours before joining the professional ranks.

The club is continuing to expand the junior section and welcomes young people who would like to take up the game.

Golf Club professionals Dean Stokes and Simon Booth said: " We have over 80 junior members here at Horsforth. We give them regular coaching and they are closely supervised."

Horsforth Golf Club will be celebrating its Centenary in 2006.

The Golf Club secretary can be contacted on 0113 2586819.