Golf fans swung into action over the weekend, for the reopening of a Bovingdon clubhouse which had been destroyed by fire.

Disaster struck in April 2009 for the Little Hay Golf Complex in Box Lane, after a chip pan blaze gutted the premises.

But at a special open weekend which started on Saturday, April 9, the clubhouse, run by Sportspace, a not-for-profit trust set up to run sports facilities in Dacorum borough, proved it was back in business.

As the sun shone, crowds of people, young and old, gathered at the grounds to pitch, putt and play rounds of golf.

Mayor of Dacorum, Councillor Roger Taylor, assisted by George Reid, club manager, officially cut the ribbon marking Little Hay’s reopening.

Chris Dove, golf club committee member, said: “The opening was full of smiling faces and the mayor praised the new building.

“He also thanked the staff who had worked hard to keep the complex operating in temporary buildings during the rebuild.

“Overall the weekend was rated a resounding success not only by Sportspace and by the club, but also by the hundreds of smiling people who enjoyed golf in the sunshine.

“Many of them were newcomers to the challenging world of golf - perhaps some of them will be a future Rory McIlroy or Luke Donald.

“What we can be sure of is that a lot of the visitors will be back for more.”

Following the grand opening, a two-day celebration was held, with the aim of introducing more people to the game of golf.

According to Mr Dove, both the main 18-hole course and the pitch and putt course were fully occupied for both days by players aged from five to 75.

About 90 free lessons were given by the complex’s golf coaches.