A FATHER and son today denied causing the death of a golf ball collector who fell into a course lake.

Jonathan Pike, 47, and son Dale, 25, are accused of manslaughter by gross negligence of one of their workers for their golf ball supply company.

Ball collector Gareth Pugh, 29, died in the lake at Peterstone Lakes Golf Club at Peterstone Wentloog near Cardiff.

Mr Pugh, 29, was fishing out golf balls at the club last February when he fell into the freezing waters.

His body was later recovered by a police diving team using underwater cameras.

The father and son, who run a golf ball supply company, were charged with manslaughter.

Jonathan Pike, of Aberdare, and Dale Pike, of Chain Walk, Glynneath, both dressed in black suits and spoke only to enter their not guilty pleas at Cardiff Crown Court.

The trial is estimated to last approximately three weeks, commencing on July 3.

Players and staff had raised the alarm when father-of-one Mr Pugh fell into the water and after being pulled out he was taken to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, where he was pronounced dead in February last year.

The exclusive golf club, which costs £25 a round and is also a popular wedding venue, was closed to all members for two days following the tragedy.