Over 2,000 golf enthusiasts turned out to see Colin Montgomerie open the clubhouse at Romanby Golf and Country Club yesterday.

The Ryder Cup star also gave a one-hour clinic on the driving range before having lunch with club members and playing nine holes with a selection of club champions, invited guests and winners of the Callaway competition. After a short opening ceremony in which he unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion, Montgomerie signed and presented one of his clubs, a Callaway Hawkeye driver, to be displayed in the new clubhouse.

"It's a great honour to come back to Yorkshire and see the wonderful facilities that have been developed here," said the seven-times European Order of Merit winner.

Brian Craven, managing director of Romanby Golf Club, said: "It has been a long time coming but we've had a great day.

"I would like to thank everyone for coming, especially Colin, who has made this a wonderful occasion for everyone connected with Romanby Golf Club.