By Peter Godsiff New secretary-manager Geoff Scott claims that Sherborne Golf Club has never been marketed properly and he is planning to change all that.

There is no passing trade at the charming, quiet, country course tucked neatly a couple of miles away from the town of Sherborne and just eight miles from Wincanton. You have to want to go there.

"We intend to improve the club's image and make people realise what a gem it is," he said. "We would like to encourage more societies happily they are coming back but we lost a lot of green fees and visitors while the course was being renovated.

"Now everything is in place we are keen to get Sherborne back on the map and we believe that will happen within a couple of years when people appreciate what we have to offer.

"This is one of the most under-used golf clubs in the county, although we have attracted 40 new members in the past few months because of the improvements and the fact we are such a friendly and welcoming club."

The club was founded in 1894 and has occupied its present site since 1910. Since members approved a plan to project the club forward six years ago, there has been irritating upheaval from constant work on the course.

But that has now been completed and the club perched high over the Dorset town with stunning views stretching as far as Glastonbury Tor is back in business.

The course was lengthened and the new five-acre practice area provides a marvellous golf academy for professional Alistair Tresidder, members and visitors. It's as good as it gets with seven grass tees, two specially constructed greens with flags, bunkers and chipping facilities and undercover bays planned for the future.

New greens and tees have extended the par-72 course by 500 yards to 6,415 yards off the back tees, supported by a new irrigation package.

The clubhouse, rebuilt in 1959 after a fire, features refurbished locker rooms, a re-equipped kitchen and a user-friendly bar to complement the splendid lounge and dining area overlooking the course.

Everything, in fact, to satisfy the most demanding member, visitor or society organiser.

Six-handicapper Geoff, moved from Bentley Golf Club in Brentwood,Essex after a spell at Upminster as secretary-manager. He and his wife Sue, a keen golfer as well, previously ran their own business in Basingstoke after Geoff spent over 15 years working as an AA patrolman.

He first played golf as an artisan at Banstead Downs in Surrey, ran the AA golf society, and has been a member at New Maldon, Sutton Green, and Basingstoke.

He said: "We are offering societies and visiting groups a package to suit them. We'll even run the day by doing the scorecards, setting up a leaderboard, getting the prizes and will start them off if required."

"It's a great society course, not overly long or tight so people don't keep losing golf balls. And everyone is assured a great welcome."

Any society organiser wishing to book should contact the club or email info@sherbornegolfclub.

co.uk Another initiative is a team up with local hotels to offer stay-and-play packages. One popular link is with Holbrook House, a highly-rated country hotel on the outskirts of Wincanton.

"Good value mid-week breaks with discounted green fees and the chance for non-golfing ladies to be pampered should become popular," he said.

"The committees are letting me get on with the job and I've found members very respectful and responsive to the changes. I have a great team of staff as well and we are all very positive about the future."

Course manager Chris Watson came from Deerwood in Lancashire and, with his new staff, has contributed greatly to the transformation. A future plan is to lay buggy paths on the closing holes and relay a few tees.

Jane Doble is the assistant secretary, Chris and Di Challoner, the chef and steward, while Alistair's wife Kath Tresidder is in charge of all catering and functions, although she will take time off this summer for the birth of her first child in July. Handyman Rick Macey completes the clubhouse staff.

Builder Bill Butters has taken over this month as the 2006 captain from John Nicholls, the secretary of the Bournemouth Alliance.

Dorset regularly use the course for major championships. This year both the ladies' and men's county foursomes are on the calendar. A West Region PGA pro-am will be held on July 25 and the annual South of England boys' championship, shared with Yeovil, in August.

Club member Steve Harris, captain of the Wessex section of the Association of Golf Club Secretaries is staging the section's invitation day at Sherborne.

Full membership costs £611 this year while the £600 joining fee can now be paid over two years. The club may later introduce different categories of membership for over-75, overseas and country members.

Geoff added: "After five years' upheaval the course work has been completed. We lost members but now everything is running smoothly again our aim is to make golf more enjoyable for everyone at Sherborne."

Email sherbornegolfacademy @yahoo.co.uk or visit www.

sherbornegolfclub.co.uk