After 110 years of being run by the members, Goodwood is to become a proprietory club.

Under the terms of a new lease, Goodwood's status will change and details are to be revealed on September 30 by the Earl of March, the club's landlord.

Speculation about the future has been rife among members because the present lease is due to expire at the end of next year.

It has been an open secret that Lord March wanted to change the existing arrangement whereby the members, who pay £650 a year subscription, run their own club.

As a proprietory club, Goodwood is likely, in the future, to be controlled by a specialist operating company and members believe there will be significant changes over a long term period.

The upgrading of the course would be welcome and there is a strong possibility of a new clubhouse being built.

The unique Sussex flintstone building that serves as Goodwood's handsome home was once the kennels for the Dukes of Richmond and Gordon's hounds.

In 1787 the ducal pack were kept in large rooms, one side of which was lined with iron plates heated from behind by huge fires in winter. It is doubtful whether any of the tenant workers lived as well as the dogs.

Goodwood is steeped in history and the golfers have played under aristocratic patronage since 1914 and not without some ups and downs.

When Lord March addresses members at the end of the month he will give an assurance that he has no intention of amalgamating the club with Goodwood Park which lies only a few hundred yards away.

The controlling interest in Goodwood Park is held by Marriott Country Clubs which is part of the Whitbread hotel group.

In the early 1970s, Goodwood Estate realised the increasing popularity of golf and suggested a 36-hole complex based on a new clubhouse near the present 13th tee. The proposal took into account the loss of the 17th and 18th holes, so doing away with crossing the busy road bisecting the course and the Estate making more land available.

It was further planned that control of the new club would revert back to the Estate and the scheme was presented to members and speakers included Lord March. An almost unanimous vote carried the proposals and outline planning consent was obtained.

By 1976 storm clouds started to gather and an anti-development group scuppered the plans, leaving the club the poorer by £12,000 after initiating the building of new holes.

It was then that the Estate confirmed it was impossible that an extension of the lease beyond the 28 years remaining would be considered.

The future would appear to be more pay-and-play golf at Goodwood which would not suit all members. A rise in subscriptions could also mean departures, although the current rate is rather below par for such a club.

However, the building of the new Rolls Royce plant at Goodwood would make up any shortfall.