Thursday evening saw Ilford Golf Club Captain, Jim Gallagher, open the much anticipated new par 4 4th hole.

With around 30 people gathered on the new teeing area, Captain Jim announced the opening before launching the first drive off the tee into a nearby pilon! His 2nd faired little better as he put it into the water which adorns the right side of the fairway.

Everyone was then invited to send a drive down the hole with Ian Morgan being the first to drive the green, although he missed his eagle putt, he did take the honour of the first birdie on the hole.

The 4th hole, reinstated after 3 years out of action due to Thames Water placing a pipeline through the old hole, now stands at 251 yards with a fantastic teeing area and new water hazard running the length of the fairway on the right.

As well as the new 4th opening, Ilford Golf Club now boasts 2 new par 5 holes, the 5th and the 17th with both having new teeing areas with the 17th elevated. The new holes now give Ilford's course a total par of 68.

Ilford Golf Club would like to thank all those involved in the negotiations, the reinstating and all the work that has been involved in getting the new 4th hole looking as good as it does today. In particular, Ilford would like to thank Secretary Manager, Janice Pinner, Financial Directors, Dave Curran, Jim Gallagher and Nigel Smith, new hole designer Michael Pinner, Head greenkeeper Sam Young and his team of greenkeepers all without whom the new hole would not have come to fruition.