Speak to people about Branshaw Golf Club and they will tell you how friendly it is.

But there is a lot more besides to the Oakworth-based outfit, who celebrate their centenary this weekend.

The course boasts some superb views of the famous surrounding Bronte Country moors and lays claim to having had not one but two Ryder Cup players on their books.

Bert Jolly played in the first Ryder Cup match for Great Britain, way back in 1927, while Alex Caygill was part of the 1969 team.

This impressive fact saw Branshaw given a name-check on national television by BBC golf commentator Peter Alliss, who played in the ’69 team himself.

Long-time member Dennis Lockwood was a friend as well as a pupil of Jolly’s.

Lockwood, who was Branshaw captain in 1968 and 1970 and has also been steward and competition secretary, remembers the professional from Guernsey fondly.

He said: “Amateurs and even some other professionals used to come from all over the place for lessons with Bert.

“Not only was he a good player, who could play left-handed as well as right, he was also a gentleman and a very interesting person.”

Having been a late call-up, Jolly lost his matches in that historic first ever Ryder Cup at Worcester Country Club in Massachusetts as USA won easily.

But he is reported to have beaten American great Walter Hagen in the final of a competition at Headingley Golf Club in 1923.

Appleby-born Caygill was twice crowned British youth amateur champion and went on to claim several victories as a professional.

He was joint seventh after three rounds of the Open at Muirfield in 1966 but slipped down the field on the final day.

His good form in 1969 saw him called up for Europe’s 16-16 draw with America at Royal Birkdale, where he played just one fourball match, gaining a half.

It is not only good players from the past who come to mind in connection with the club.

Branshaw may not be a big-hitter in the Bradford Union Scratch League but one of the district’s most promising young talents, Liam O’Neill, started his career there.

With around 350 members, Branshaw is therefore more than just a friendly little club but it does remain proud of its down-to-earth nature.

“The club is known for being friendly,” said current Bradford Union president John Head, a member at the club for 40 years.

“Everyone who comes likes it and there’s always a good atmosphere. Invitation day is always popular.”

It was fitting that Head should become only the second Bradford Union president from Branshaw in the year the club marks 100 years. The only other member to take on the role was Holvey Taylor in 1997.

“It’s a big honour and something I wasn’t expecting,” said the president.

There may be tougher tracks in the Bradford Union but golfers need to beware the heather and the weather on a Branshaw course, which has steadily evolved over the last century, having first started out as a nine-holer in March 1912.

To mark their centenary, the club are staging a nine-hole competition based on the original course layout. Some greens have been redesigned and holes remeasured so members can play the course in its earliest form.

Branshaw expanded to 18 holes in 1925 after more land was leased from the Duke of Devonshire, while further notable developments include the opening of a new clubhouse in 1979 and significant drainage work in 1995 – thanks to a £93,000 lottery grant – which means the course is rarely out of play.

Head, who was club captain in 1991 and 2006, said: “Some golfers turn up and think they can take it to pieces but if you don’t stay accurate then you can be in serious trouble.”

The par three 13th is the club’s signature hole, which might only be just over 150 yards but, with three pot bunkers protecting the green, it can turn into a card-wrecker.

Simon Jowitt has performed the role of head professional and secretary of Branshaw since 2003, having joined as an assistant pro in 1997.

Jowitt gave O’Neill his first lesson and it wasn’t long before the Oakworth youngster was winning silverware at district level and going on to play for Yorkshire and England at amateur level.

O’Neill – who has featured for other clubs but has always maintained an affiliation with Branshaw, where his dad Ian is a member – has since gone on to play as a professional.

The nine-hole centenary competition takes place on Saturday and is followed by a marquee dinner. It promises to be a special day for everyone at the club.

One hundred years on, Branshaw is as buoyant as ever.