FURNESS Golf Club will celebrate its 145th birthday with the return of pro-am golf for the first time since 1984.

The Walney club will host the pro-am competition on Friday, May 5, harking back to the time when the likes of snooker star Alex Higgins trod the fairways.

Andrew 'Chubby' Chandler – now best known as a golf agent – was the winner the last time the Walney links hosted such an event, the Telemeter Northern PGA tournament in September 1984, representing Mere.

The PGA North event is part of a series of celebration's of Furness's 145th birthday.

There will also be a sportsman's dinner with Liverpool football legend Jan Molby, a summer ball, and a team-of-four competition later in the year.

Treasurer Diane Herbert is looking forward to the pro-am, and said: “This is our 145th anniversary and we're hoping to attract 20 teams of four.

“The event is being well publicised and we are already near the halfway mark for entries, so that augers well for us."

“I don't think we've had many pro-ams in this area for some time, but we've staged a few county events.

“We will plough any profits from the pro-am into club funds but I think we'd still be happy if we break even.

"We are also planning our 150th anniversary event, which will help to put the club on the map.”

While the 1984 event was played over two rounds for the professionals – with Chandler shooting scores of 65 and 66 to triumph – followed by a round with the amateurs, this year's tournament will be entirely pro-am and played over 18 holes.

Anyone wishing to enter the pro-am can call the club on 01229 471232 or email w.a.barker@btinternet.com

Entries £240 per team of four – including a professional. Professionals can be provided by the PGA, or players can pick their own.