The acquisition of Beauport Park this week heralds a new era in the chequered history of Hastings golf.

Sat Lally, a 28-year-old businessman, paid an undisclosed sum for the freehold of 186.6 acres from Cinque Ports Leisure Ltd in a deal that, at one stroke, transferred the course from a municipal responsibility to proprietorial pay-and-play ownership.

Hastings Council accordingly surrendered the leasehold arrangement they had with the owners. How much Lally has agreed to pay Cinque Ports Leisure Ltd for disposing of their interest was not revealed when I visited him after completion of the sale.

He said: "Let us just say it was a low seven-figure sum."

The purchase has been completed with other private investors.

Shortly, negotiations will begin to buy the lease on the short course and driving range which is owned by Ken Melson, boss of the hotel. Lally also has an option to buy 100 acres surrounding the thickly wooded and undulating course comprising a spectacular beauty spot off the Battle Road north of Hastings.

Lally said: "Our main aim is to offer competitively-priced golf enabling all to play. The rates are dirt cheap working out at less than £2.50 a round and £1.20 for seniors.

"I've met the members and they are perfectly happy that golf is now going to be much cheaper. We are looking to make Hastings Golf and Country Club, which is the new name instead of Beauport Park, the largest junior academy in the South-East."

On-stream plans are to prettify an already highly attractive but daunting 18 holes. Much emphasis will be laid on improving the greens and sprucing up the course overall.

As from April, a full seven-day membership will be £395 with seniors paying £100 less and under-18s only £95.

"Membership will be easier to obtain under our new system," said Lally, who made no secret of his delight in removing the tag of council course.

"That is over and done with. I see the way forward to making the course into one of the best and certainly best value in the South-East. It has a reputation for being difficult but I see that as a plus and nobody can say it is boring or featureless."

Many existing staff have been retained including Mark Strevett, the course manager, and professional Charlie Giddins. There is a consultant head greenkeeper to instruct the sub-contracted outdoor staff, plus a new bar manager and catering helpers.

For their part, the council did not consider golf as being among the top ten sports that needed funding. The annual subsidy was not regarded as best value to the local authority. In short, they were glad to be shot of their interest.

However, the near 150 membership never saw the course as a loss-maker and, after a prolonged delay, they are delighted the sale has been concluded.