A GOLF club which was on the brink of going under is back on a level par.

And bosses of the historic Silsden club hope members who left during its turbulent times will return.

Mortgage repayments and crippling overheads almost sunk the 104-year-old organisation.

But now, following completion of a sale and lease-back agreement, the club is on an even keel.

"At the annual general meeting I was able to inform the large turnout of remaining loyal members that I could present them with a break-even budget," said treasurer Martyn Twigg.

"The budget allows for an immediate work programme for the greens, which suffered from the lack of funds last year.

"Also our legal status has been formalised as a company limited by guarantee, meaning the maximum liability for a member is £10."

Newsagent Mr Twigg, who joined the club over two decades ago, said membership dwindled to just over 100 as it battled to survive.

"Like many golf clubs Silsden had struggled to make financial ends meet for much of this century," he added.

"Many strategies were pursued by the hard-working officers, but the mortgage repayments and large overheads continued to cripple our development

"Unsurprisingly, the uncertainty over the club's future – and perhaps more worryingly for the members, uncertainty about who would be liable for the debts if it went under – led to a steady decline in membership which contributed to the already worrying state of the finances.

"A drastic solution was needed and I'm delighted and relieved that the club is back on a firm footing.

"Also, contrary to concerns in some quarters, a loan from Sport England to fund development over 17 years ago is 85 per cent repaid and will be fully covered in the next five years."

He said membership levels were recovering, but hoped more people would now come forward.

"We're back up to about 150 but I'm hopeful more former members will return," said Mr Twigg.

"Full golf membership for the year from January 1 was set at one of the lowest rates, if not the lowest, in the area.

"And to encourage new members, applicants this month will pay just £395 for the remainder of the year."