KEIGHLEY GOLF CLUB is busy preparing for its centenary next year - and is keen to attract new players to share the celebrations.

The club was launched in 1904 when a group of ice skaters wanted a sporting activity they could enjoy during the summer months. Over the last 99 years the club has enjoyed incridble success with a string of county champions.

As part of the centenary plan to attract new members the club has been working to make sure they are ready for anything the weather can throw at them. In the past parts of the course have been clsoe because of flooding, but this year they have spent over £11,000 digging a huge drain which will ensure the course is playable longer.

"We can't stop the rain, or prevent the River Aire flooding, but we can get rid of the water as quickly as possible," said club manager Cameron Dawson.

They looked at several potential schemes, including installing pumps and building a huge lake to drain the course.

"In the end the simplest solutions are often the best and we have removed thousands of tons of earth to construct the drain which has quickly become an important feature of the course," he said.

Now, as soon as flood levels start to drop water will be fed back into the river along the new water course.

The club has also launched a drive to attract new members by removing the joining fee for people applying for membership throughout November. They are particularly keen to attract junior and women members - two of the big growth areas of the sport.

"There is superb coaching from our own professional and we are hoping to develop further links with schools in the district to bring golf to more and more people," Mr Dawson said.

n Golfers cross a temporary bridge over the club's new drain, an impressive feature of the course.