STROKE-victim Michael Garnett says he has been driven to despair by a "heartless" York golf club's refusal to refund his membership.

The 60-year-old, from Haxby, suffered a devastating stroke six weeks after paying £560 to join Forest Of Galtres Golf Club, near Skelton, for a year.

He was forced to hang up his clubs after losing the feeling down the left side of his body and is still recovering in York Hospital.

Mr Garnett's son, Dean, wrote to the club's bosses asking for a refund - as his dad played less than a dozen rounds there - but they refused.

He then contacted them again asking if they would freeze the membership to see if he might recover or even let another member of the family use it, but again they refused.

"It's really terrible the way I've been treated - an absolute disgrace," said Mr Garnett, who has played golf for five years and was a 22 handicapper.

"There is no way I can play golf at the moment if ever. It's not like I did this to myself.

"They won't even let my son or another family member use the membership. They are quite a big club and I thought they would be more sympathetic."

"We're not very happy," said Dean, 33, a postman.

"The club's attitude has been really bad and mean-hearted. He must have only played about 12 rounds before suffering the stroke. They won't even compromise."

A member of the club, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals, told the Evening Press: "Our club raises loads of money for charity, but they haven't shown any to this man. It's very unnecessary."

In an official letter of response to the family, club secretary Susan Procter wrote: "With regard to his (Mr Garnett) subscription this is an annual charge and we are sorry that refunds are not made.

"We trust that your father continues to make good progress."

When asked for a comment by the Evening Press, Mrs Procter, whose family owns the club, replied: "I do not have any comment to make about this."

Updated: 09:56 Thursday, February 17, 2005