MEMBERS of Tavistock Golf Club recently threw out a £238,000 plan to improve the clubhouse but gave the thumbs up to major changes to the moorland course.
The two schemes were put before the annual meeting in the town hall and members voted overwhelmingly in favour of building three new golf greens and 12 teeing areas.
The work will cost £65,500 and the changes should help to prevent further erosion, course congestion and improve road safety.
A report to club members stated that the increase of road traffic close to the 14th hole had been a concern for a number of years and there was an uneasy feeling that any accident could result in the intervention of the county highways authority.
If planning permission is granted — an application was submitted to West Devon Borough Council earlier this month — the work should begin this summer and take about 15 months to complete.
Club treasurer Brian Newland said the plans had the backing of Dartmoor National Park Authority and the Commoners.
'It will not be necessary to close the course at all during the work,' said Mr Newland.
The 14th hole, now running dangerously close to one of the roads which divides the course, will be grassed over and three new holes created on the less crowded northern side of the course.
The present clubhouse replaced a turn-of-the-century wooden structure in 1925.
Included in the proposals were plans to improve the kitchen area, dining room, main entrance, snug lounge, staff facilities and build a new lounge bar area upstairs.