GOLFERS are unhappy over plans to redevelop a municipal golf course in Darlington.

They are particularly concerned at plans to refurbish the club house at Stressholme Golf Club, owned by Darlington Borough Council.

The local authority is spending about £100,000 on redeveloping the course, in a bid to attract more non-golfers.

However, this has angered members, who claim the history of the club will be wiped out by the refurbishment.

Photographs of former club captains have been taken down and members were told the display of trophies and honours boards will be given a lower profile. They are also unhappy that improvements to the course, such as repairing drainage and improving bunkers, will take up to four years.

Mark Washburn, a former captain of Stressholme, said: "We were first told about the redevelopment last year, but promises made then have not been kept. It's almost like the council are not interested in the golf side of the club, because they are trying to attract other people, who have no interest in the game."

Another issue concerning members relates to the dismissal of the club professionals last year. Under the rules, amateurs cannot win money in competitions organised by club professionals, but they can redeem the money for goods, such as balls and clubs.

However, members say that the council is refusing to honour the outstanding amounts that were held by the professionals when they left.

Steve Thompson, Stress-holme's leisure and catering manager, said: "There is no money owed to the members by the council, and it is a matter they need to take up with the professionals. The honours boards are being repositioned as part of the refurbishment, but we are not trying to take the history away."