Dawn of a new era at Blackley

Official clubhouse opening by Norman Forrest, president of the English Golf Union, who cuts the tape, watched by club officials and guests, including the Mayor and Mayoress of Oldham, Councillors Jim McArdle and Kay Knox (left).

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BLACKLEY Golf Club members refused to be bunkered when a new motorway sliced through their course.

Although the club had to endure a difficult decade after the M60 invaded its land, it has emerged stronger.

And the evidence of that came on Monday with the official opening of the new £1.6million clubhouse off Victoria Avenue East.

The magnificent new facility has largely been built with the proceeds of compensation received for the loss of six holes.

And there is also a new look to the course, with land acquired to replace the holes which disappeared so that the Denton to Middleton section of Manchester's orbital motorway could be completed.

Even though the loss of part of the Blackley course was a nightmare at the time, current captain Norman Morris believes the club is stronger than ever.

"We have fabulous facilities and they ought to help us push the club forward in the future," he said.

Mr Morris admitted there had been difficult times, especially when the course was temporarily reduced to 16 holes while the new ones were constructed.

There was even one year when membership fees were not charged because of the massive amount of disruption.

"We had to completely redesign the bottom half of the course and when we did that we had to play two holes twice so we could play a full 18," he added.

Blackley has had a golf course since 1907, but only on its present site since 1937. It began life as a nine-holer near Booth Hall Hospital.

Now Blackley has one of the largest memberships in the area, pushing towards 700 when all categories are taken into account.

"We have a big ladies’ section and the same goes for senior citizens as, when we have their days out, we often taken 80 of them," said Mr Morris.

The main function room in the new clubhouse can comfortably accommodate 150 people, so Blackley will be able to generate additional income from weddings, birthdays and anniversaries, a factor which is becoming increasingly important.

And the new-look course is already receiving rave reviews from visiting societies.