Premier and part-time golfer Ewart Brown yesterday unveiled a spruced-up Port Royal Golf Course – and immediately found out for himself how nice the new sand in the bunkers is.

As a $14 million renovation of the public course – this October's PGA Grand Slam venue – nears completion, the Premier and Tourism Minister invited fellow golf fans to sample the new-look of the picturesque greens by playing a few holes.

Giving a speech before 36 players enjoyed a mini-round, the Premier revealed all the greens have been rebuilt, new sand put into trickier bunkers, cart paths repaved and a landscaping project has got underway.

Dr. Brown, clad in a yellow cap and matching tank top and trousers, then had the honour of playing the opening shot from the third hole.

His ball impressively cleared a stretch of water but then, despite a dubious cry of "safe shot" from a backslapper, it dipped and made a beeline for a freshly-filled bunker.

Unperturbed, the Premier got in among the sand and recovered to par the hole to the appreciation of his golfing opponent for the day, United Bermuda Party Leader and former golf pro Kim Swan.

Giving a progress report on the course's redevelopment, the Premier said: "The only thing we await now is for the grass to grow. The only remaining major development belongs to Mother Nature.

"I should mention, however, Mother Nature has not given us her best performance to date. Late last year rainfall was so heavy at times, some of the newly laid grass was completely washed away and crews had to start over. Temperature dips in October and November have also worked against us.

"But those setbacks should not overshadow the long list of undertakings that have been successfully crossed off the to-do list."

He listed the following examples:

• The reverse osmosis plant is now fully operational and is producing 250,000 gallons of water per day on 1,200 new sprinkler heads;

• Port Royal now has a fully computerised irrigation system from tee to green;

• A huge amount of earth has been moved by bulldozers, increasing the course yardage by 281 yards to 6,842 total yards.

Dr. Brown added: "To my eye, the greens are the most visibly impressive new attribute of this golf course. I invite you to have a closer look as you attempt putts at birdie a little bit later.

"For those of you who find yourselves in the bunker, you may notice the installation of new lining and the addition of new sand. While you're in there you might as well enjoy it."

He said a timetable on when the course will open to the public would probably be available at the end of next month.

Golfers said they were pleased with the course, reporting it is now much more challenging, with faster greens, more water features and more awkward bunkers.Mr. Swan, who joked that Dr. Brown still owed him a couple of dollars from the last time they played golf, said he and the Premier had not turned their eight holes into a competitive game, but he applauded Dr. Brown for "an excellent par from the bunker".Remarking on the course, Mr.Swan said:"I felt that the changes were made were good changes."They give a fresher look to Port Royal.When Port Royal first opened in 1970 it indeed was a world class championship course. The balls travel 15 to 20 percent faster today, so modernising Port Royal made good sense."Dr. Brown had said there would be increases on membership and greens, but they would remain below the price of private clubs of comparable quality.Responding, Mr. Swan called for the prices to be kept as low as possible."Affordability is one aspect of public golf," he said. "Interest of people from all walks of life has been a success story for Bermuda. It allows a young person to rub shoulders with doctors, lawyers, princes and princesses."