MEMBERS of Blacknest Golf Club have been left "irate" and its club captain is leaving, after hearing the club's president say they were mainly a "pay and play golf course".

John Roach, the captain, said that he, and many of the club members, could not believe the statement made by Ian Sherdley (in response to rumours of the club being sold) that the course had "some members who set up a club for handicap purposes".

Responding to these claims, Mr Roach said there has been a club captain since 1993, with 435 members contributing more than £160,000 to the club through annual subscriptions.

They are all invited to play in a variety of internal and external events, including monthly 'medal', 'Stableford', doubles, yearly championship and mixed competitions.

There was even, until last year, a president's team versus a captain's team, in which Mr Sherdley was expected to play.

A disappointed Mr Roach said: "Can you imagine how members, who have been around for years and have supported Blacknest through all the winter months when play is not possible, felt on reading this statement by Mr Sherdley?

"Between 25 and 30 regular members, including myself and the vice-captain, are leaving as a direct result of this, and it has left them irate."

An emergency meeting of the club committee next month will now have to select a new captain and vice-captain.

The initial controversy was sparked last month surrounding the departure of club professional Ian Benson, who according to Mr Sherdley was "leaving to further his career" .

But in an anonymous letter received by the Herald, it was claimed that this had incensed some members.

Speaking last month, president and club owner Ian Sherdley said that as far as he was concerned, the future of the club is "rosy" and that the anonymous letter was simply "someone with an axe to grind".

He stated that though selling the club was previously considered, it was not now on the agenda.

His comment, which angered members, read: "We are not really a members' club, more of a pay and play. Some people have set up their own club, for handicap purposes, which is not part of the club as a whole."

Contrary to the position of Mr Roach, Susie De Las Casas, director of membership services for the club, claimed that all was well at Blacknest, and a new club lady professional had been appointed.

She confirmed this was European tour player Janice Arnold, who teaches at the club, and is now making it her permanent home, continuing to teach and managing the pro golf shop.