ASHTON-on-Mersey Golf Club officials, members and friends were delighted to see a superb new spike bar opened as president Alan Calvert cut the ribbon recently.

One of the key officials in the exciting project, which has been discussed for the past 15 years, was former captain Jim Reynolds.

He said: “Last October I sat in this room with the ladies' section to discuss with them the possibility of converting the ladies' lounge to a spike bar.

"I must admit I was expecting some hostility to the idea but was pleasantly surprised that there was not.

“And now six months down the line we have this wonderful facility that we can all benefit from.

“To get to this stage a lot of thought, discussion and hard work has been put in by several members who have made this happen and I would like to acknowledge and thank them for their efforts.

“Firstly, to last year’s council for giving us the green light to go ahead with the project and particularly our secretary, Terry Hughes, and Dave Sprott for all their support, advice and hard work.

“Secondly, to the six members who took up the life membership offer which provided the majority of funding towards the project because without their support we would not be celebrating.

“Thirdly, to the members who supported the appeal for donations. Their generosity helped to provide extras we would not have been able to afford within the budget and this helped bring the project to the standard we see in place.

“To Gordon Hamlett, who laid the patio, giving four days of his time at no cost to the project.

“To Brian Kelly, after we spent many an hour last year discussing various ways in which we could convert this room to maximise its benefits. I would like to thank him for all his time and efforts in bringing the project to its final conclusion and also for providing the large-screen television.

“Finally, to Mark Simister as he is the one who has brought all this together.

“He has worked for five to six weeks, giving his time free to the club, using his skills, knowledge and hard work to produce a facility of the highest quality, which is a great testament to him as a person and a builder.

“On the first morning when everything was ripped, walls down, rubble and dust everywhere I thought "what have we done? Have we made the right decision? Panic!'

“But Mark was there, brimming in confidence saying ‘everything is possible, don’t worry’ and, sure enough, he was right for producing something that has been discussed in the clubhouse for the past 15-plus years – a facility that has been built to the highest standard possible and without Mark this project would not have happened.”

The club now has a magnificent superbly furnished and equipped room by the ninth/18th green with a patio outside for members to enjoy on sunny days.