Brinsbury College has become the second golf course in Sussex to close in the last seven months.

The nine-holer will cease trading at the end of this month after loss-maker Shillinglee Park, near Plaistow, went to the wall last August.

Heavy drainage costs and a shortage of golf studies students have scuppered Brinsbury's 120 members, most of whom are joining Foxbridge and Avisford Park.

Seven years ago, Brinsbury, a pay and play set between vineyards and a dairy on the A29 just north of Pulborough, claimed to be one of the fastest growing clubs in Sussex.

The course was inspired by Ann Tyrell, vice principal of the award-winning agricultural teaching establishment, in a 230-hectare estate.

It started out in the early 1990s thanks to Mrs Tyrell, then a 16-handicapper at Cowdray Park. Her enthusiasm for the project was shared by Keith Harrison, head of horticulture at the college and Stephen Hall, the Foxbridge professional.

The college, then owned by West Sussex County Council, had no problem including golf as an educational resource. Students helped with the course design, the holes sitting perfectly in a rural setting.

But a dwindling number of golf-related students and increasing costs on a clay-based layout spelled Brinsbury's doom.

Following the merger last August of Brinsbury and Chichester colleges, managers undertook a review of operations. One issue identified was the cost of operating the course.

College principal Dr Richard Parker said: "It's original purpose was to support students on greenkeeping courses but the demand for these has declined and recent efforts to recruit students on to golf studies programmes have been equally unsuccessful.

"The course also requires significant additional expenditure to improve drainage in an attempt to extend the playing year.

"Projections indicated it will continue to make a substantial loss. Given that there is no continuing curriculum need for the course, the college decided to close it at the end of March."

College heads and members of the golf club committee met and Hall agreed the club couldn't continue on membership fees alone.

The club was badly hit by the foot-and-mouth epidemic when 70 members left the club and the course was temporarily closed. Cheap golf (£199 a year annual sub; £295 for family membership), encouraged beginners but not in sufficient numbers.

Hall said: "It is a shame but there was no other option but to close with not getting students any more."

But the real killer was costs with at least £30,000 spent on drainage work.

Hall, a former Sussex Professional champion, will concentrate on teaching at Foxbridge while Brinsbury's nine holes will return to grazing pasture for sheep and cattle.