Golfers are flocking to a Worthing club thanks to a £400,000 investment which has trebled its membership.

The future of Hill Barn Golf Course was in doubt when members became frustrated with its ageing facilities.

Now, club membership has leapt from 87 to more than 300 thanks to a series of improvements instigated 12 months ago by new owner Richard Haygarth.

Thrilled that members were returning to the club, Mr Haygarth said: "This is the acid test and it seems that we have struck a chord with the players, particularly former members who became disenchanted with the previous lack of investment and went off to play elsewhere.

"If membership continues to rise at the current rate we will soon have to think about limiting new applications."

Returning member Ernie Farmer agreed that the investment has revitalised the historic course. He said: "I joined Hill Barn in 1968 and was Captain in 1976. Sadly I had to leave the club in the mid-eighties out of complete frustration at the way it was run."

Club manager Simon Blanshard said: "Even the member's competition are getting larger, 40 seniors played in the last one - that was unheard of a couple of years ago."

Hill Barn's clubhouse has been completely refurbished, greenkeepers have new equipment and the grounds have a state-of-the-art Rainbird irrigation system installed on the greens, tees, approaches, and on the croquet lawns.

The course was built between 1932 and 1934, on the site of an old farm and fully opened as a 15-hole course in 1937.

Immediately after the war, three extra holes were built and during the 1970s the course featured on the PGA and LPGA tour lists.

Today, the course is a 6,224-yard par 70.