Branshaw Golf Club are looking forward to enjoying the benefits of a £15,000 redevelopment of two greens now the new season is underway.

The winter investment project at the 14th and 15th holes have been completed and are due to open soon, while other improvements have been made across the course.

Chairman of the greens committee Graham Wild said: “With all the hard work over the winter from the new head greenkeeper (Jeremy Eastwood) and his staff, we now have two new greens to be proud of.

“These make the existing holes more challenging, with the addition of two new bunkers, but also more play-able as the new greens are bigger, giving us far more pin positions.

“This was a large investment at a time when most clubs were cutting back and shows that Branshaw is looking to the future.

“We hope to reshape and improve the course over the coming years, with further improvements planned.”

Meanwhile, the famous Branshaw heather has not been spared in the club’s off-season work.

After discussions with members, it was decided to cut it down to a level that made the course more aesthetically pleasing and, more importantly, fairer to play.

Members and visitors were at times complaining how high and difficult it was. Lost balls were a common feature.

With the cutting program-me well underway and set to be managed on a yearly basis, the club hope to attract more visitors back to their various open competitions.

Branshaw has also invested in two new pieces of equipment to aerate the fairways and greens, which has helped to keep the course open over winter, and should pay dividends in spring and the growing season.

The Oakworth club are also delighted to welcome their new professional Steven Dean, who is due to start today. He takes over from long-serving Simon Jowitt, who has joined Grimsby GC.

This will be Dean’s first role as full professional as he was an assistant at his last club.

Branshaw president Steve Smith said: “With the app-ointment of a young professional in Steven, it shows Branshaw are looking to the future in a positive way.

“Along with the appointment of the new head green- keeper, who is doing a remarkable job to turn the course into a top-class moorland one, things are looking very good.”