TOLLADINE Golf Club boasts one of the most spectacular views in the county but is having to broaden its horizons to revive its fortunes.

New manager Anne Farrell and green-keeper David Gavin have been charged with revitalising one of Worcester's oldest clubs and have already made a favourable impact.

Current membership stands at around 120 but after just three months in the job, progress is being made and new members are drifting back to the club.

Both Gavin and Farrell have plenty of the right experience. Farrell is a former manager at the Royal Dublin GC while Gavin was a green-keeper of some 12 years at Pinner Hill in Middlesex.

But where Gavin was one of six full-time green-keepers at Pinner Hill, now there is is just him and one helper to tackle the 50 acres of hilltop course at Tolladine.

It's hard work made worse by recent bad weather and bouts of vandalism but Gavin is optimistic about the prospects of restoring the course to former high standards despite the climatic tribulations.

"The weather has been a nightmare - it's been a constant battle because when it's wet you can't do anything otherwise you just make more work for yourself," said Gavin.

"In theory the job sounds quite easy but when you're looking at 50 acres it's a different matter. You have to cut every blade of grass, there are a lot of humps and bumps and it's a bit of a maintenance nightmare."

But the good news is that Gavin is thriving on the challenge. Tolladine greens were once renowned as among the best in the county and restoring them is an integral part of Gavin's plan.

"It will be a challenge to get the greens back to their best because they were in a state of neglect and it will take the best part of half a season to bring them back but with the right treatment we will get them back.

"People have played the course when it was bad but it's coming back and people are drifting back to play."

For Dublin-born Farrell, golf is in the blood - her father founded Shannon Golf Club and her brother Joe Byrne, who is also the club treasurer, is a five handicapper.

Tolladine is a world away from the 1,000 strong membership at Royal Dublin whose staff included 14 full-time green-keepers in the summer but with a brand of Irish charm and practical experience, Farrell is determined to revive its fortunes.

"Our aim is to get the club back to what it used to be when they had 400 members," she said.

"It's been neglected but we are slowly bringing it round.

"The club has been here for more than 100 years and it would be shame to see it disappear but it's got the potential to be a vibrant club and we're confident it can be so once again."