MAJOR construction on their course has led to Bicester Golf and Country Club pulling out of the Shaw and Co Oxfordshire Foursomes League for this season.

At the start of the league campaign Bicester explained that a number of their holes would be out of commission as the course was being completely altered following a change of ownership.

"We agreed that matches could be played over nine holes twice to make the full 18," said league chairman John Summers.

"But now the club have told us that further holes would be affected and we've agreed to accept their offer to pull out."

Summers said: "The league could have ruled that Bicester should play all their matches away, but that would have been unfair on those teams who had already played them at Bicester."

So. all Bicester's matches in Section 3 have been scrubbed from the records, with the table being amended accordingly.

However, Bicester have been guaranteed a place in the league next season, when there will be four sections of six teams.

"We just had no course to offer them," explained Bicester's general mananger Paul Fox. "At the moment we are using 12 temporary greens, and by the time work has been completed next summer, all 18 holes would have been changed.

"It will be completely unrecognisable from the old Chesterton course." Major water features and large moundings will transform the old flat course. Extra land has been bought to provide room for two new par fours.

Construction of a hotel and leisure complex next to the current refurbished clubhouse begins next April.

Since new owner Graham Payne took over earlier this year membership at Bicester has soared from 240 to 640.

One of those to have rejoining is promising youngster Matthew Haddy, who will continue to play for Frilford Heath in the league until the end of the year.

Meanwhile, Oxford City leapt to the top of Section 1 with a whitewash victory away to Brailes, with their biggest victory coming from David Summers and Andy Hooker.

Previous leaders Ellesborough were held to a draw at home to Buckingham. Frilford Heath secured a 2-1 victory over at home to Hadden Hill.