SINCE Naunton Downs Golf Club was opened by Champion Jockey Peter Scudamore 21 years ago, hardly a day has gone by without a round of golf being played.

The club near Bourton is celebrating its 21st birthday this year and still has staff that have been there since the beginning.

It is a popular venue for society club days and is used by Stow Rugby Club, Gloucestershire Police, Rotary and Cheltenham Town Football Club.

Both the head Green Keeper, Robert Hook and Club Professional, Nick Ellis, joined Naunton Downs when it opened in spring 1993 and now run it together.

Built on farmland in the early 1990’s in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the club has preserved the haven for wildlife as well as raising money for charity.

Mr Hook, aged 52, who has 35 years of green keeping experience, said: “We have foxes, badgers and hares, dozens of resident songbirds, autumn and spring migrants, many owls, buzzards, red kites and now and again a peregrine falcon.

"In the summer, many golfers are out on the course as early as six in the morning and they have even seen the occasional wild boar. ”

Members can enjoy the 18 hole par 71 course, putting and chipping greens and a driving range along with three all-weather, all-year-round, astro-turf tennis courts.

Mr Ellis, 40, who was a schoolboy golfer and is a former member of Broadway Golf Club, said:”We have members aged from 10 to ninety so there is a genuine family atmosphere and there is a very strong social side to the club.

"Our committee arranges London theatre trips and visits to gardens and stately homes such as Hampton Court. We are very much looking forward to the next 21 years.”

The golf has plans to celebrate its birthday with an event in July. For more information on the club and new membership deals visit nauntondowns.co.uk.