PRUDHOE Golf Club, the self-styled “Home of Champions”, has reversed the usual trend of increasing annual subscriptions, instead reducing its fees for 2010.

The club has also introduced a range of new membership categories and other initiatives.

Retaining existing members and finding new ones has become an increasing struggle for most golf clubs. So, in an effort to combat rising costs and provide funds for investment, the traditional method has been to increase annual subscriptions each year.

This has caused many golfers to compare the cost of their annual subscription against the number of games they actually play.

For 2010, Prudhoe has reduced subscriptions for full male members to £450 and kept all other categories at 2009 levels. The club has also recognised the problem of a sudden and large rise in costs faced by junior players when they move up to full membership.

“This large jump in fees occurs when players reach their early 20s – exactly the wrong time for them. As a result, we have introduced a £300 fee for players in the 23 to 29 age range. To encourage young players into the game, the annual fee for under 16s is only £40,” explains club chairman, John Perry.