No sign yet of Hastings Council selling Beauport Park. Six months ago a deal was expected to be closed in two to three months.

The unnamed purchasers from the private sector still have not been identified and the 300 club members are just as much in the dark as they were in early August.

It was then that Mike Marsh, head of the council's leisure and amenities service, confirmed the sale was near to completion.

He said: "The council's cabinet meeting agreed to dispose of its interests in Beauport Park. The council put in a considerable subsidy each year and the course is not regarded as best value to the authority. One reason is competition from the surrounding area."

Members didn't need the council's policy spelling out. The local authority want to be rid of the course as a cost-cutting measure. But members don't see it as a loss-maker in terms of business and green fees, although during the long period of bad weather maintenance costs have not even been partially offset by income.

A member who did not wish to be named said: "The whole situation regarding the sale of the course is a shambles. It appears the sale is stalled for some reason which has not been divulged.

"Nobody knows anything about the people trying to buy the course but there are all sorts of stories going the rounds that instead of two prospective purchasers, there is now only one. It is a scenario that has become curiouser and curiouser."

It has already been confirmed that American Golf (UK) is not involved; nor is a Japanese consortium interested.

The informant said: "The trouble seems to be that the council has not attempted to hide the fact that they are desperate to get rid of the course and, while that should make it easier for a quick sale, nothing is happening and I think we need to be put in the picture."