condition, new chairman of the Board of Trustees for Port Royal, Ocean View and St. George's, El James, says recommendations for improvements already in place will be reviewed and considered by his new committee.

James wouldn't disclose exactly what changes had been planned by the outgoing committee, but indicated they were not far-reaching.

"None of our courses are shabby and I firmly believe that the average golfer gets his money's worth when he plays on them,'' said James, who also serves as president of Bermuda Cricket Board of Control.

"But it is important that we continue to strive to improve in order to maintain a high standard for the locals and our visitors.

"We are just coming aboard. Obviously there were some recommendations that were made for the coming year by the previous board that we need to review ... analyse them in light of the fact that a new government has taken over, to see if these plans are consistent with our views and establish just how they are going to fit into our plans.'' James added: "Two people may achieve the same goal but they may go about it a different way. We just need to see if what is in place now is agreeable to us.

"But the important thing is that we are all anxious and happy to be placed in a position where we can accommodate as many people as possible to participate in what I believe is the fastest growing sport here and around the world.

"Naturally when we go in we are going to look at all areas where improvements can be made. Obviously there have been some great things that have been done at all three courses and we don't have any intention to dismantle them, but we still have to follow up and see where improvements can be made.'' In James' view the 18-hole Port Royal course remains one of high quality, and while concerned about the large amount of use it gets, he believed it had stood up well.

Ocean View, he noted, was in "tremendous shape'' but was handicapped by having just nine holes while the St. George's lay-out, he said, was also in fine condition.

"What I like is that all three offer different challenges to the golfer and all are in good shape. What we have to do is look at them and see what we can do as far as making certain that everybody can play on them.

"Golf is no longer the sport of 20 years ago when it was only for a certain class, everybody is playing it now.

"It's no secret that golf is the fastest growing sport in Bermuda and throughout the world and it's a sport which has all age groups involved, the young and the old. And with so many people involved we have a mandate to make these courses affordable to all. We want to make certain that the courses are accessible to every Bermudian and local resident while keeping our visitors in mind also.'' James believes improvements can be made at the junior level, although he insisted Bermuda Junior Golf Association were doing a "remarkable job with their efficiently run programme''.

"But because the sport is so popular the BJGA cannot accommodate many other youngsters who are keen to get involved and maybe there is a need for our three courses to come together and assist in setting up some additional programme.

"Or maybe there is a need for another group to be formed to organise a similar youth programme,'' he said.