Studley Wood's new owners say there is plenty more investment to come after spending £250,000 on the club since taking over.

Co-owners Ken Heathcote and Ian Darby bought Studley Wood in December, and since then have set about revamping what they say is "one of Oxfordshire's best-kept secr- ets".

They have just opened the refurbished clubhouse and hope to make Studley a leading player in the county.

Heathcote said: "I've been in golf and leisure for about 25 years and Ian comes from the financial services sector in the City.

"We formed a partnership about two years ago on the basis that we would buy a number of golf clubs.

"Studley Wood is the first and we think it is one of Oxfordshire's best-kept secrets.

"We've spent a lot of money on the golf course, although it has been more tender loving care at this stage.

"We've spent £250,000 from an investment point of view and there's more to be spent.

"We are not in it for the short term.

"Ian and I play regularly at the club and we've said that we would like to play there for the rest of our lives.

"It's a passion as well as a business."

Heathcote said visitors to Studley can expect a very different club to two years ago.

"We've had a very successful time," he said.

"We've taken on over 80 new memberships this year and haven't lost many, which is fantastic.

"What people expect from golf clubs is a lot more now.

"We've hired three chefs and are putting a lot of importance into the standard of food and beverages we are serving.

"What we are offering is like Cafe Rouge in many ways."