DAYS of yore graced York Golf Club at its captains' drive-in.

In commemoration of the 115-year-old club celebrating the completion of a century at its present Strensall base, the new captain John Pearson and his ladies' counterpart Dawn Clegg used 100-year-old clubs.

Enthused Clegg: "We thought it would be appropriate to recognise completing 100 years at Strensall for our drive-in ceremony. John's driver was actually made by the legendary Ted Cheal, who was professional at the club in 1904."

The new ladies captain revelled in the experience of using hickory clubs for the first time, declaring: "I had the perfect excuse for my usual bad shots.

"Hickory shafts are less forgiving than modern clubs, but when you get the rhythm and timing right, the ball really flies.

"And as with so much else in life, it really pays to slow down. Swinging with hickory is so much nicer than hitting with steel."

A sweepstake among club members to guess the combined distance of the two opening drives was won by Mrs Aurea Clothier. Her estimate of 260 yards earned her an original club from the same era.

Cash raised from the mixed greensomes competition won by Mrs E Mackinlay and Mr K Griffiths and the sweepstake totalled £220, which was divided between the respective captains' charities for research into multiple sclerosis and Breast Cancer (York).

Updated: 09:09 Saturday, March 26, 2005