GOLF: St Audry's Golf Club will soon be boosting a brand new clubhouse. The work on the two-storey building has all been done by voluntary labour and is scheduled to be open at the end of March.

ST Audry's Golf Club will soon be boosting a brand new clubhouse.

The work on the two-storey building has all been done by voluntary labour and is scheduled to be open at the end of March.

The site of the new clubhouse is just behind the existing one and thanks to the efforts of the members, the cost has been kept to a minimum.

Bob Clements, a former captain and one of the longest-serving members, said: "The only cost incurred has been the materials. So far it has cost £45,000 and I reckon that another £20,000 will have to be spent to take care of all the fixtures and fittings like carpets, chairs, tables etc."

On the ground floor will be changing rooms, showers and toilets plus a small shop that will sell golf nick-nacks.

The first floor will have a lounge, a dining room, kitchen and bar area with a veranda overlooking the first tee.

Work started on the clubhouse in May of last year and every weekend since then there has been an average of between six and eight members working on the building and sometimes as many as ten.

Ashley Keeble, this year's captain at St Audry's, has been the leading light in the construction of the new clubhouse.

He runs his own building firm, Suffolk Building Co-Partnership in Woodbridge and has been able to offer his expertise as well as doing some of the work.

Bob Clements said: "The majority of the work force has experience in the building trade, but others have chipped in as well. And the ladies have played their part by providing food for the working members at weekends."

The golf club was opened in 1966 as part of the hospital, but in 1988 the members bought the course. Some of the cost was offset by a National Lottery grant of £120,000.

"It's a very established nine-hole course and I think it's one of the best in the county for what it is," said Bob.

In fact, such is its popularity that there is a full membership of 370 – the limit set by the club – and now there is a waiting list.

With the annual subscription of £185, it is a bargain and it's a tribute to a number of people who have put so much hard work in over the years.

There is also a junior academy that is run by Woodbridge professional Adrian Hubert, and currently St Audry's have 30 junior members.

In addition there is a very active seniors section and the par 60 course is always kept in excellent condition.

Visitors from other clubs are always assured of a warm welcome and matches against the club are always equally looked forward to – even though St Audry's are hard to beat!

Now the impending opening of the new clubhouse will give St Audry's a further boost.

For the work they have put in on a voluntary basis, they deserve every success.