JAMIE Cook is aiming to turn Heythrop Park into one of the country’s top-100 courses after taking on a new role.

The former Oxford United forward has been the assistant professional at the club, near Enstone, since 2014.

But he has now been promoted to golf manager – and has big plans.

He said: “Our aim is to get the course back into the top 100 in the UK, that should be our minimum goal, and push on from there.

“We want to attract all sorts of events.

“We hosted an event on the Challenge Tour (in 2016) and we have the potential to stage big amateur tournaments.”

A new head greenkeeper has been brought in along with three other staff to work on the course, while investment has also been made in overhauling the machinery.

The extra responsibility for Cook also includes overseeing Heythrop’s leisure club and spa.

It means the 38-year-old, who came out of retirement to finish the football season with North Leigh, is having to put his own golf game on the back burner.

He said: “It’s very different to anything I’ve ever done, so my golf will take a backseat for a year, although I’ll still play a few tournaments.

“But it’s just such an amazing opportunity – the estate here has everything, so the chance to manage it and improve things was too good to turn down.”

l THE Core Golf UK Oxfordshire Foursomes League fixtures at Burford and Carswell were postponed on Saturday.

CLUB RESULTS

NORTH OXFORD

Club match: Ellesborough 3, North Oxford 2.

Ladies’ Medal 2 – Silver Div: 1 J Northover 97-18=79. Bronze Div: 1 L Riding 103-27=76.

OXFORD CITY

Dragon Trophy: 1 A Weeks 80-17=63, 2 D Ruffels 82-18=64, 3= I Bound 70-4=66 & B Holman 78-12=66.