COWDENBEATH Golf Club's newly refurbished clubhouse was officially opened on Saturday after the Captain's team suffered a defeat at the hand of the Vice Captain's side in the season's opener at the Dora Course.

Councillor Gary Guichan conducted the opening ceremony recalling how his father John had become very involved in the new Cowdenbeath Golf Club being set up in the late 1980s as the Dora was being constructed from the former opencast site of the same name.

He recalled that John had just retired and he took up the task of creating the new club with great enthusiasm and it gave him many happy hours of enjoyment.

There were about 40 members present to see the £30,000 project opened and Club Captain, Stevie Bowman, thanked everyone who had contributed to the total revamping of the 20 year-old facility.

He said: "This is a project which has been funded by a lot of people making contributions to the fundraisers the club has held.

"But without the work of Craig Keicher and a lot of club members this could not have been possible and we warmly thank them."

Club secretary Graham Inglis was very pleased with what has been achieved: "The weather was not very good on Saturday but we managed to get the Captain v Vice Captain season opener played with victory by the latter and then the opening of the new look clubhouse by Councillor Guichan.

"It really is looking good now and we would welcome people to come along and have a look it.

"We can cater for all sorts of functions and we would welcome the general public to make bookings."

Contact Graham on 01383 611251 or captain Stevie Bowman on 07468609864 for details.

The function hall is 20 years-old and was starting to look a bit tired but the work led by Craig has given it a completely new look. They now have a new kitchen, toilet facilities and in the hall new seat covers, tables and carpet plus new decor and the trophy cabinet and winners board have been moved to the stage side of the hall and the cabinet is internally lit.

A solid financial base achieved through some careful book keeping by treasurer Ian Farrell has allowed the club to upgrade the clubhouse and also spend £10,000 on other facilities.

The Fife Golf Trust, which runs the Dora Course used by the club, has said that the Dora will have a professional by the end of July so it is a time of high expectation at Cowdenbeath Golf Club.

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