Whoever gets the franchise to run Hollingbury Park and Waterhall must wait another year.

While the shortlist was narrowed down to Glendale Golf Management Limited and a consortium headed by Graeme Crompton, Hollingbury's head professional and boss of the Sussex Golf Centre at the course, it was decided that neither sum offered was high enough.

Neither Glendale, who were recently awarded the management contract at Tilgate Forest, nor Crompton and his backers would comment on what is an unexpected decision by Brighton and Hove City Council.

It is likely other players will enter the field in the next 12 months while the council have chosen to retain the status quo.

While users and members of both courses remain in limbo they are not affected, although if the upkeep of the courses falls below an acceptable level there are bound to be protests.

For the past few years, Hollingbury has been in good trim and members would like to see Crompton run the course.

There were nearly a dozen expressions of interest originally but now there may be something approaching a feeding frenzy as the council has upped the stakes.

A Golf lodge converted from the old clubhouse and offering facilities for short breaks opens at Cowdray Park in April.

Modernised with stone and timber from the estate, the amenity is only a hundred or so yards from the first tee.

Phil Stevens, the club manager, said: "We are looking forward to welcoming a number of pros and their students who see the advantage of providing a more intensive coaching environment than traditional daily routines would allow.

"We also look forward to welcoming societies, individuals and groups of golfing friends."