The retirement of long serving professional Dave Skelton, meant the club needed to secure the services of an established replacement and they seem to have found that in Jason Davies.

Davies, 37, originally from Liverpool and a devoted 'Reds' fan, which can only assist his progress in the club, has made the switch from the Black Forest in Switzerland to Oswestry.

Now based in Farndon, near Wrexham, Jason and his wife, Katina, have already made significant changes in revamping the pros shop and introducing exciting new proposals for the club.

Using the latest swing technology, Davies, aims to provide an in-depth analysis into swing correction and has secured coaching responsibilities for the men's county second team and the ladies first team.

Davies also intends to add serious competition to the Shropshire and Herefordshire pros in a playing manner and having played regularly at a high standard on the Swiss circuit means I, amongst other local pros, will be heading back to the practice area.

That's only one cog in the wheel of change at Aston as later in the year, the work will begin on their new £1 million clubhouse. Club Secretary, Peter Turner said: "84 per cent of members attending the EGM for the proposed new dwelling voted in favour with only a £30 increase in annual subscriptions."

You could argue that the existing facilities are more than adequate in comparison to some, but the club seem determined to make improvements and for £2.50 a month extra per member, why not?

A Sport England grant has also enabled the club to draw up plans for a
pitching academy. This will provide golfers of all ages and abilities with the opportunity to improve their short game. Even with a restricted practice area, covered bays have been given the green light for development for those dedicated bad weather fanatics.

In all, Aston continues to look to the future and provide new facilities and personnel, which can only enhance its reputation as one of the foremost golf clubs in the county.