CELEBRATIONS to mark the 125th birthday of a premier golf course in Meirionnydd are in full swing.

This year Aberdovey Golf Club will be hosting a series of events to honour their quasquicentennial anniversary, which teed off with the traditional captain’s drive in on New Year’s Day in front of hundreds of keen golf enthusiasts.

To mark the occasion the new captains wore vintage golf attire to remember those very first golfers who played at Aberdyfi Golf Club in 1897 as well as swearing in new club president, Alun Roberts.

The club also kicked off this year’s fund-raising efforts after collecting £215 for Macmillan Cancer Support after spectators were invited to guess the length of the drive using hickory shafted golf clubs, as the club founders would have used back in the late 19th century.

Throughout the year Aberdovey Golf Club will be hosting a series of celebrations to commemorate the organisation’s illustrious history.

This summer sees the Welsh Amateur Championships return to the Aberdyfi facility which was recently voted as one of the best 50 links courses in the UK.

Although the course has changed somewhat over the years, it still remains a basic nine out/nine back in the traditional golf links manner, with the course sandwiched between the railway line and hills on one side and sand dunes and sea on the other, on a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Read the full story in this week’s Meirionnydd edition of the Cambrian News, in shops now or available by clicking on the digital editions link above