THE NEW ownership structure Herefordshire Golf Club has plans to invest on and off the course.

The picturesque 18-hole golf course in Wormsley was put on the market for between £1milion and £1.25m in May.

With a new ownership structure now in place the club are now looking forward to a new chapter it its 124-year-old history.

Head of Marketing and club development Jonathan Devereux said: "We are looking forward to significant investment both on and off the course, breathing new life into the club that is already on the up after a resurgence in members and visitors alike since an easing of lockdown restrictions.”

The club recently welcomed competitors from as far afield as Cheshire, Leicestershire and Carmarthenshire to play in the fourth annual Raven Scratch Open.

Enjoying perfect conditions, 61 competitors from 20 clubs vied for top spot on a course turned out in impeccable order.

Playing in the tournament for the first time, plus two handicapper Callam Morris (Newport GC) fired three birdies in his final five holes to record a one-over-par gross 71, tying the score of local scratch handicapper Morgan Radziejowski.

The players made their way to the first hole for a sudden death playoff where Morris triumphed by making a par four, as an unlucky Radziejowski three putted from long range for bogey.

Burghill Valley GC member Matthew Harrison made up the top-three (gross 72), finishing his round with three consecutive birdies but falling one shot short of the play-off.

Herefordshire Golf Club member, Ross Adams was one of only two players to beat par all day in the handicap section.

Playing off a handicap of 10, Adams’ 68 net was enough to win on a card countback over former member Jason Griffiths.

Two members tied for third place with level par net 70’s with club captain Tommy Hughes (11 handicap) prevailing over in-form 6-handicapper, Jonathan Curtis on a card countback.

Organiser Devereux added: “We are thrilled to have a full field for the event which is still in its infancy but already gaining awareness at a national level.

"To have over half of the elite field made up of visiting competitors means that we are starting to put both the club and golf in Herefordshire on the map.

"The scoring showed that despite measuring only 6,100 yards, the course has enough natural protection to stand up to even the most accomplished players in the region.”

In addition to the Raven, the Herefordshire GC was also due to host the prestigious Midland Golf Union Mid-Amateur Championships this year.

Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, the tournament had to be postponed but it is hoped the event will return to the club in 2021 or 2022.