GOLF: BEWDLEY Pines's new captains will be hoping the golf club can really take off after their new clubhouse was completed.

The Habberley Road venue, which attracts nearly 500 members, has been open for about four years.

But press officer Andy Beaman said it was hoped the new building would take the club, which is searching for fixtures with others in the area, onto another level.

Local residents will be leading the various teams this season with Martin Bedwell in charge of the men, Danny Stevens heading the juniors and Jack Kerigan the seniors.

Gill Chilton, who hails from the Kingswinford area, will be ladies captain.

Beaman said: "We've completed our clubhouse and are looking to get ourselves on the map.

"We have got loads of things in the pipeline and are having an official opening.

"Our seniors are now playing competitions with other clubs but we also want to promote the juniors and get more down here. We also have a good ladies section of around 60 members.

"We're looking to set up a fixture list of games, home and away, with other local clubs. We have a dry course and it's very rare that we shut."

Bewdley Pines have also appointed a new professional with 28-year-old Dave Ashton, a former England youth international, joining from a club in Shifnal, Shropshire.

Beaman added: "It's his first job as a professional after being an assistant for five or six years."