WHEN it comes to golf courses enthusiasts for the game could certainly never describe Tavistock Golf Club as being 'under par' in terms of a panoramic location, a challenging 18 holes and its off-course facilities. The club was formed more than 100 years ago when a small band of golf players approached the local landowner, the Duke of Bedford, for permission to set out a 'link' of holes on Whitchurch Down.  The duke duly obliged, an inaugural meeting was held in November 1890, and play teed off in early 1891. Since that time, three clubhouses and four different course layouts later, Tavistock Golf Club in Down Road has developed into one of the finest clubs in the South West. The 18-hole, 6,500 yard golf course, on rugged moorland, throws down a stiff sporting challenge to amateur and professional alike and there cannot be many courses where the local sheep and Dartmoor ponies have the opportunity to cast an eye on the efficiency of a player's backswing! Despite being a moorland course and exposed to the renowned variations of the Dartmoor weather the golf is very much 'all year round' where the fairways and greens drain very quickly — thus it attracts hardy golfers from all over the region even in the winter months. Tony Sherlock, vice captain and marketing manager, said that there are more than 750 playing members and more than 300 social members and the club prides itself on a warm welcome to those who come through its doors. He said: 'Tavistock is a wonderful town and it follows suit that this is a wonderful club to belong to. We consider it very much part of the town, not just as a place for a game of golf but also as a social meeting place. It may appear to some that the game of golf is a rather elitest sport but that is not true here at Tavistock Golf Club, where we welcome people of all ages and abilities.' The club is happy to raise monies for local charities and among its beneficiaries in the past few years are in 2003, £1,200 each to the British Heart Foundation and CLIC; 2004, £3,500 each to the South West Children's Hospice and CHICKS; 2005, £1,400 each to Cerebra and the Chestnut Appeal; 2006, £1,750 each to Mencap, St Luke's Hospice and the Dame Hannah Rogers School. Among its golfing luminaries is James Ruth, who at 21 is now striding the fairways of the professional game. The former Tavistock College pupil, who among his many honours has represented England at senior level for three years, is in fact the club's course record holder at the club with a superb round of 60. The club prides itself on its facilities to members and non-members alike and especially on the spectacular views of the surrounding Dartmoor National Park countryside. Apart from the setting of the course, Tavistock Golf Club has first class clubhouse facilities, with refreshments available from 8.30am to 10pm in the summer (winter times differ) and a restaurant that members say deserves its excellent reputation. Beginners to the games can seek the expert guidance of Player's Golfing Union club professional, Dominic Rehaag, for some lessons. Dominic is a highly respected professional in Devon and there is a shop on-site which is fully stocked with the latest equipment. He told the Times: 'We can offer the golfer a good, demanding moorland course, with very good greens, which are hard and fast in the summer. A lot of wind makes it a testing 18 holes, on a course which is very well prepared all year round thanks to the efforts of greenkeeper Gary Foster and his hard working staff.' l Green fees are £28, Monday to Friday, £36 on bank holidays; £14, £18 for juniors member's guest over 18, £14, £18, member's guests under 18, £7 or £9. There is a joining fee of £400, which can be spread over two years, although juniors under 18 do not have to pay. Playing memberships for men and women are £435, with reductions for over 65s; boys and girls aged seven to 13, £57.50, aged 14 to 17, £115; 18 to 21, £217.50; student, £125 as well as various social memberships. For more details contact the club secretary Jonathan Coe on 01822 612344 or the club professional Dominic Rehaag on 01822 612316.