look at ways of challenging a $20,000 fee to join the new Tucker's Point Golf Club.

They claim the fee to join the new course on the same site is far too high -- particularly because Bermuda Properties Ltd, the developers of the new complex, have been given generous tax breaks from Government.

They feel Bermudians who were members of the former club should be given some kind of relief to join the prestigious course, which will form part of the new up-market Tucker's Point Club.

The Castle Harbour course closed last year and the new Tucker's Point Golf Club on the same site is due to open this Autumn.

Dentist Vincent Bridgewater is one of a group of disgruntled former members of Castle Harbour Golf Club, who met last month to protest against the new membership fee.

He said they had instructed Bermuda Bar Association President Richard Hector to write to the Club on their behalf.

Mr. Hector is off the Island and Tucker's Point Golf Club general manager Bruce Fraser said yesterday he had not heard anything from the lawyer -- nor was he aware of the golfers' concern.

Dr. Bridgewater said he did not believe the new club could justify charging $75,000 for new members.

In addition to the $20,000 joining fee, existing members would have to pay $1800 annual fees and golf cart hire of around $20 per round.

Golfers take swing at new club Dr. Bridgewater told The Royal Gazette : "The bone of contention is that Tourism Minister David Allen is giving everything away including the kitchen sink to these guys playing hardball to give Tucker's Point relief, and we as Bermudians feel we should pay a lot less than $20,000.

"There should be some kind of grandfather clause for existing members because $20,000 is a lot of money.

"We'll give them $20,000 and they keep the interest, and since we are Bermudians it should be a lot less.

"A lot of our members are black Bermudians, and since this is a black government that's giving them (Tucker's point) everything, there should be some form of relief for us.

"A lot of the members are a little older and it might be a process of elimination. I don't see how any course in the world can talk about a $75,000 initiation fee.

"We met several weeks ago to discuss this $20,000 they're trying to get from us and we hired a lawyer who was supposed to write to the Castle Harbour powers-that-be letting them know we want to discuss it further.

"We are going to have another meeting as soon as one of the principal figures in our group gets back.'' Mr. Fraser said: "I am unaware of the situation. I haven't been contacted by their lawyer.'' TOURISM TOU