THE new skyline is taking shape at Fulford Golf Club, where its fabled avenue of poplars starts to be demolished.

Work is going on all this week at the club to bring down the poplars, which line the eastern boundary of the course alongside the first hole.

Planted in 1937 - two years after the present course was opened - the boulevard has become an iconic feature of the club, notably during television coverage of the Benson & Hedges International tournament in the 1970s and 1980s.

But the poplars have become a danger to players and public - there is a public right of way alongside their base. With the trees only having a natural life expectancy of around 60 years they had to be removed.

But could new poplars start to flourish again at the Heslington-based course?

Pondered former Fulford captain and England amateur international Jonathan Plaxton: "At present there are no immediate plans to replace the trees, but who knows what tomorrow will bring?"

Updated: 11:12 Thursday, November 24, 2005