A COVETED business award has marked a transformation at Keighley Golf Club.

Andrew Rhodes, PGA professional at the club, has received the prestigious TGI Golf most-improved business accolade.

The presentation was made at a gala dinner held during a two-day conference at The Belfry, attended by TGI partners from across the UK and Ireland.

Mr Rhodes was up against three other nominees.

"To win the award was an incredible honour and the response from not only my fellow pros – but from everyone in the golf trade and the PGA – has been overwhelming," he said.

"My nomination was a result of the work we've all done at Keighley to try to improve the position of our club."

Mr Rhodes, 40, said the club had been losing money and struggling with membership.

"Following a very wet 2012 our course was not of the standard it should have been and that affected green fee revenue and member retention," he said.

"The outlook wasn't good.

"But we brought in people from the Turf Research Institute and have implemented some of their recommendations.

"The course has been vastly improved and our greens staff are doing a fantastic job.

"And that brings people back playing golf. That's what it's all about – we want to give our members an experience.

"We were struggling, but there has been a big turnaround and we've come out the other side.

"We now have about 370 members and we're extremely proud of what we offer."

Mr Rhodes, who has been involved at the club in various capacities for two decades, said it also now had a marketing committee and a successful catering franchise.

"This award reflects how the industry as a whole perceives us all at Keighley Golf Club and is as much in recognition of everyone's efforts as it is mine," he added.

"I want to thank everybody at the club for their hard work in helping us to head in the right direction once again.

"To have the team of staff and committee being so positive, working together and embracing new ideas and change has been really beneficial.

"A lot of people have given a lot of time to do their best for our club."

Falling membership has hit golf clubs across the district.

Last month, the Riddlesden club – formed in 1927 – closed due to a lack of members and rising expenditure.