The people behind a golf club in North Belfast have spoken about welcoming people from all walks of life into the club for over 100 years.
Nestled on the Westland Road, the close-knit Cliftonville Golf Club has had generations of families come through since the club was first founded in 1911.
Originally located at Ballysillan Playing Fields, the club later moved to its current position, with the nine-hole course attracting members from right across Northern Ireland.
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Priding themselves on the closeness of members, the club are hoping that more young people will be encouraged to try their hand at the sport, both as a way to help with mental health and to cut down screen time.
Partnering with local mental health group, TAMHI, the club have been able to introduce school children to golf.
A few of the club members told Belfast Live what they love about Cliftonville Golf Club and why they would encourage others to try out the sport.
"As much as we pride ourselves on the families and generations that come through the club, I think the biggest family actually is the club itself. The people you play with or have a drink with are as close as some of your family members," John Henry explained.
"If you weren't here for a weekend, you'd probably be getting a phone call to see if you're okay. We're very close that way.
"You could be standing in the first tee box by yourself and someone would ask if you want to join them. It's something we really pride ourselves on.
"Anyone who wants to come play is very welcome to. Golf is a great sport for mental health, and we're very lucky to partner with TAMHI.
"Trying to get more kids involved in golf is massive for us, trying to get them away from computers and outside socialising is massive as well. We all want to find that next Rory McIlroy or Leona Maguire."
Roisin Kelly first joined the club in 2007, and said everyone was very supportive and always happy to help from the get-go. She said: "You're not left on your own. You don't join up, pay your fees, then not know what to do.
"I remember when myself and two friends joined. We started in the winter and were hacking the ball around the course.
"But every Sunday we would come in, sit in the bar, and someone would ask how we did today. That's what it's all about. There's always someone noticing someone new and wanting to see how they got on.
"It kind of becomes like a family here, and people are very supportive. We're all different ages, we've all been through different challenges in life, so it's good to have people like that around you.
"What we're saying is, we have that, if you want it, come and try it. If it's not for you, no pressure. If you never try, you'll never know.
"A lot of people work in very stressful jobs. But if you get out here with that wee ball, by the time you get to that second green, you forget about everything. It's just you and the ball, and the fresh air."
Sean Rafferty has been involved with the golf club since he was five years old and would come along with his granda, who was a member. He grew up in the club and is now the owner of the golf shop and general manager of the popular bar and restaurant.
Sean said: "I've had the bar staff tortured from I was about 11, bribing people to pay me before I lifted their glasses off the table to try and get some pocket money. But half of the boys in here never played golf.
"One of them started playing because of Coronavirus. There was a time where golf was the only sport deemed distant enough to play, so we got a lot of ones in, who maybe try to play golf, but are really there for the social side of things.
"We're so lucky. The amount of houses around us that don't really have anything other than us to fall into and have a drink, have something to eat, and spend a bit of time.
"It is a real community pub. You come in here and huddle around the fire until the heating kicks up enough to heat the place up."
One thing the team at Cliftonville Golf Club pride itself on is offering a welcoming environment for anyone who may be wishing to try out golf, both on the green and in the clubhouse.
"I think golf courses have this persona, the bigger the course, the more unwelcome you feel. You go to certain courses, pay the big green fee, go into the clubhouse and you stand out," Sean explained.
"In here, it's always been our thing to bring anybody in, everyone's welcome. If you're willing to come in and play golf as a member or a visitor, then you're welcome after for some drinks and food.
"If you see someone has an interest in it, if you get them through the door, you find nine times out of ten they do take to it. A fella has been paying and playing for a good while, and he came into the shop a few weeks back with his membership form.
"You get into a club and make new friendships. Getting out, playing with somebody you don't know, getting your handicap in then eventually you start winning your way, and going in for competitions. Before you know it, you do end up hooked."
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