EVERYTHING'S changing at Parklands in Newcastle's Gosforth Park.

There's a really positive, go-ahead attitude in evidence right through the club - from the friendliness of the comfortable and modern clubhouse, to the state-of-the-art driving range and mini course, to the much improved, much more difficult 18-hole course itself.

Considerable work has been undertaken over the winter to enhance the quality and playability of the course, which dates back almost 40 years now.

The complex began life back in 1966 as a driving range only and was originally known as the John Jacobs Golf Centre.

A nine-hole course was added and opened in 1971 as Wideopen Golf Club. It remained as nine holes until it was extended into a full 18-holer in 1984 and two years later changed its name to Parklands Golf Club.

It's probably fair to say that Parklands has always had a reputation as the ideal course for beginners, not least because of its excellent facilities.

But it also owed its repute to the nature of the course itself, which was regarded as being short and relatively easy to play.

Modern drivers and clubs have probably shortened the course further.

But Parklands has been on an all-out offensive to change things in recent years - and all the work is starting to pay off.

The course has been toughened up immeasurably thanks to the addition of more water, open ditches and bunkers all over the course, while many greens have been reduced in size to offer smaller targets.

Head groundsman Steve Quince and his staff have carried out all of the work, with the emphasis on both improving drainage and increasing the difficulty.

Parklands clearly boasts a superb setting in Gosforth Park opposite Newcastle racecourse and the layout certainly makes the most of the natural features.