Golfing legend Jack Nicklaus is part of a controversial $250 million bid to transform an old military base into a booming tourist resort.

The American superstar was named yesterday as the architect of the scheme's 18-hole PGA championship golf course.

The plan for the former Southampton Naval Annex -- put forward by British-based Renaissance Resorts International Ltd. -- also includes: 300 homes, ranging in price from $300,000 to $2 million-plus, available to Bermudians. The majority of them would be between $500,000 and $1 million; A 400-berth marina; A luxury 200-bedroom spa and conference cottage colony; Three new public parks; A village, including a church, town hall, chandlery, some 15 shops, three restaurants and a cafe; and A ferry service to Hamilton.

Renaissance has stressed access to the site would not be restricted.

The phased project, scheduled to get underway in October, would create 360 permanent full-time jobs. Some 220 jobs would result from the first two years of development.

A public exhibition of the plans will be held at Hamilton's City Hall next week and then move to St. George's and Dockyard.

Renaissance hopes to present an in-principle planning application to the Development Applications Board in the next few weeks.

On Wednesday, the Bermuda Land Development Company announced Renaissance had won the fight to develop the 250-acre site -- now called Morgan's Point.

BLDC chairman Vincent Ingham told a Press conference yesterday: "This development is the flagship in our fleet when one looks at the properties we are responsible for.'' Renaissance, which trades locally as Morgan's Harbour Investment Ltd, defeated the other shortlisted team BEAM.

BEAM's proposal included a course drawn up by world-renowned designer Tom Fazio and a commitment from three-time Masters champion Nick Faldo as touring pro. Other rival developments were also linked to stars.

Yesterday BEAM president Alan Burland, who runs BCM McAlpine, said: "I would like to see Renaissance's scheme and I will reserve our comment until we've done so.'' The Royal Gazette understands, however, Renaissance's triumph has touched off rumblings of discontent among developers.

Questions have been raised about the tendering process.

It is understood Nicklaus' involvement in the Renaissance proposal came late in the day -- after companies submitted final proposals.

One construction industry source said: "It seems surprising he entered the equation after the fact. Is this a proper tendering procedure?'' Morgan's Point developers unveil plans Mr. Ingham admitted to journalists yesterday Nicklaus had originally been connected to a rival developer -- now known to be Morgan's Point Developments Ltd.

He said, however, that on submission of final tenders "none of the five potential developers had a firm commitment from all the players''.

It emerged during the Press conference Nicklaus came on board the Renaissance scheme in mid-January.

Lawyer Timothy Marshall, who represented Morgan's Point Developments Ltd., gave his full support to Renaissance.

He said Nicklaus' switch to the Renaissance scheme had his client's approval.

"My client has no objections to that arrangement and has given its consent to the arrangement,'' he said. "I've heard there have been rumblings from a variety of camps, but what the nature of those rumblings are I don't know. We wish Renaissance and the Nicklaus team the best of luck.'' He added: "Obviously we were disappointed not to have won, but we were out at an early stage.'' Renaissance now has a "memorandum of understanding'' with BLDC over its scheme. This is short of a full contract.

A BLDC spokesman said: "The memorandum of understanding between the company and the developer will be codified in a master development agreement, which will be a binding contract on the developer to develop the site.'' The master development agreement could take a while to finalise.

The spokesman added Renaissance's lease for the site would probably go before Parliament in the spring session.

"Existing legislation requires any Government lease over 21 years to be submitted to the Legislature for approval. Obviously, this is longer than 21 years.

"The BLDC has a 131-year lease to the property, already approved by Parliament last summer. So the lease to Renaissance will probably be 130 years.'' During yesterday's Press conference, Nicklaus, via a video tape, promised a golf course Bermuda could be proud of.

"As you may know, I have been fortunate to visit Bermuda several times, and I am familiar with your Island's rich tradition in the game of golf.

"I think the time has come for Bermuda to have a world-class championship-length golf course, and by combining the resources of Nicklaus Design, Renaissance, and the Bermuda Land Development Company, I am confident that we can achieve wonderful results.

"I just wanted to let you know that my staff and I are committed to this project, and I can assure you that the final product will be a golf course of which we can all be proud.'' Renaissance managing director Robert Davies, told The Royal Gazette he hoped Nicklaus would visit Bermuda in early May.

Renaissance will be the master developer with Tractebel Development of Belgium having responsibility for construction management.

Local partners include Mr. Lawrence, Arthur Morris, James Pearman, Robert Tucker, David Hamshere and Geoffrey Dodsworth.

Local firms taking part include architects OBM, Design Ltd. and Context Ltd., accountants Deloitte and Touche and lawyers Milligan, Whyte and Smith.

Mr. Davies told the Press conference: "We are obviously extremely excited about this opportunity to work on a terrific site.'' He said the scheme would beautify Tucker's Island and Morgan's Island -- known as "brother islands'' -- and create a waterfront community to be enjoyed by all Bermudians.

The homes would be built in Bermudian style. And the plan was to sell them at an average of 50 a year.

The starter homes would have two bedrooms, while the more luxurious ones would boast four or five.

Mr. Davies said the spa colony would resemble a five-star hotel and cater to those seeking a health lifestyle.

He added the 7,000-yard, par 72, golf course was a key feature of the project.

It would be the only fully-irrigated course in Bermuda.

Clyde Measey, director of golf development at Golden Bear International Inc., said Nicklaus was a renowned golf course architect.

Mr. Ingham said the project would transform derelict land into a development to boost tourism, expand community space and recreation and create jobs and business opportunities.

Mr. Davies said work would start this October with a big clean up of the environment.

The first phase would be complete in May 1999, incorporating the golf course and the initial stage of the village, including a church, town hall, chandlery, shops and restaurants. Part of the marina, with 100 berths, would also be opened.