FORMER Dixon Motors board members Paul Dixon, Simon Dixon and Sal Ciullo are the new owners of Kilnwick Percy Golf Club.

The trio have bought the Pocklington-based course from the Huxtable farming family, who built and opened the course in 1994.

Since then, it has established itself as a popular 18-hole, 6,218-yard course boasting panoramic views of the East Yorkshire Wolds, across the Vale of York to the Pennines and south towards Lincolnshire.

And the course's new owners now have plans to improve the club further with the aim to create one of the most exclusive in Yorkshire.

All three men left Dixon Motors in 2004 when the company was bought by the Royal Bank of Scotland and now relish a challenge away from the car trade.

Other new faces include Aaron Pheasant, who has become the club's resident professional, and Jonathan Dixon, who has been appointed general manager.

Dixon's duties will include running the clubhouse, bar and refreshments and he has previous experience in health clubs and hotels.

As director of golf, Pheasant is hoping to introduce new initiatives to increase memberships and make them more attractive.

Pheasant joins Kilnwick Percy from Spaldington Golf Club, having previously served for five years under former European Tour pro David Jagger at Hull GC.

Ann Huxtable, the daughter of former owners Joe and Audrey, has now retired as club secretary but is looking forward to the new plans for Kilnwick Percy, saying: "I think the club is really going to blossom.

"The new owners have superb ideas and the club will definitely be going places in the future.

"It's a superb location and it will be really good to see it enhanced.

"I will continue to be a life honorary member but will go on the course and enjoy myself more instead of being inside the clubhouse all the time. I'm only a hacker and I'm looking forward to learning how to play the game properly."

The new owners are also hoping to hear from any members who might have ideas on how to make improvements to the course, shop, clubhouse and social scene.

Updated: 10:22 Saturday, June 04, 2005