When Charlie Giddins returned from making third place in a PGA pro-am at San Lorenzo, one of his first appointments was with his new boss.

Sat Lally is the new owner of Hastings Golf and Country Club, formerly known as Beauport Park. A non-golfer, Lally, 28, is keen to learn and booked Charlie for the first of what, time-permitting, will be a series of lessons.

In Portugal, Charlie had rounds of 73, 73, 74 and 71 for a return of three over-par. He was delighted to find the new set-up installed after Hastings Council surrendered the leasehold.

He said: "Sat wants to get the goodwill back and has gone the right way about it by embarking on an improvements programme and lowering membership fees."

Meanwhile, Onyx are also delighted at the change of ownership. They have signed a contract for the maintenance of the course. A company spokesman said: "We are very impressed with the plans for improving the course and are looking forward to working with the new owner and helping to achieve the improvements."

Union steward Alan Roberts added: "The course work-force are now reassured that their jobs remain with Onyx so that they can carry on caring for the course as they have done so competently for many years."

Town councillor, Trevor Webb, is relieved.

He said: "We did not have the money to invest in the course which was becoming a major drain on our resources. The deal allows us to concentrate on our key priority areas while safeguarding the future of public golf."