Fulford Golf Club is to swing into its centenary year with a host of initiatives topped by a new-look course.

Celebrations of the 100 years of the club first formed by Captain William Key at Water Fulford in Naburn in 1906 will officially open with the centenary captains' drive by Rosemary Simmons and John Smith this Saturday.

This year's drive will herald the opening of a new 'championship' course at Fulford's current Tilmire site to which it moved in 1935.

Three new tees have been constructed to complement the existing 'white course' with each hole decorated by granite distance markers installed thanks to a generous donation from the club's past captains.

Meanwhile, five Fulford members - Dennis Barrell, Tony Dales, David Middleton, Don Tebb and Bob Elliott, who all joined the club 50 years or more ago, were honoured by centenary captain John Smith with a special presentation at this week's annual meeting.

Dales, a member since 1954, painted the picture of the par-three tenth hole that graces the new scorecard, and he was subsequently commissioned to create a 'Centenary Painting'. That was unveiled at last night's annual meeting and prints will soon be available for sale.

Of the events that have been arranged to mark the 100-year milestone, the inaugural Centenary Cup will provide men and women members with a unique chance to compete as individuals against each other. The victor's name will be engraved on a new honours board in the club-house and winners of all the club's principal events during the centenary year will receive a specially commissioned memento of a silver spoon bearing the club's crest.

A Centenary Ball will be held at York Racecourse in August for which at least one winner of the former Benson & Hedges International Open has agreed to attend. Fulford was the home of the prestigious B&H event from 1971 for close on two decades.

The racecourse is also to host 'The Fulford Golf Club Centenary Stakes' on Saturday, July 29, the final race of the York Music Showcase Raceday meeting when a number of Fulford members and their guests will have pride of place at Knavesmire.

Throughout the year Fulford will be visited by many distinguished guests including the president of the English Golf Union, whose Past Captains tournament will be played at Fulford in September. The previous month sees the Yorkshire Union of Golf Clubs' team championship being hosted by the Heslington-based club, which will also entertain a match between past English and Scottish internationals in early October.

There will also be a poignant reminder of the club's past when a memorial to seven RAF airmen who died after their plane crashed close to the fifth green during the Second World War is unveiled.

Teeing off for 2006

Tony Kelly's golf column will resume in the Evening Press on Saturday, April 8.

Please contact him on 01904 653051 ext 323 with any golf news.

Updated: 10:30 Wednesday, April 05, 2006