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The new Port Royal golf course has been giving a ringing endorsement by the director of the Professional Golf Association who believes it ranks alongside the best on the tour.

David Charles, senior director of the PGA, shot a one-over-par 73 on the course, which officially reopened today after a $14 million redesign.

But he believes the course will provide a stiff challenge to the four major winners, including Stuart Cink, who became the latest to book his ticket to Bermuda with a thrilling play-off win over Tom Watson to claim the Open title on Sunday.

"It is everything we expected and then some," said Charles after conducting a review of the course, which will host the PGA Grand Slam in October.

"The course is in fantastic shape and I really believe the four major winners are going to find it a real test, particularly if the wind blows.

"I'm amazed at the difference in the course since we were last here in March. It is in fantastic shape and it's only going to get better between now and October."

He said Port Royal would bring a more tropical island feel back to the Grand Slam, with the sweeping ocean views reminiscent of the Poipu course at Hawaii.

"It's not a long golf course by any means but the wind protects par.

"Phil Mickelson shot a 59 at Hawaii one year, Tiger Woods had a 61, so it's not unusual to have some low scores.

"The Grand Slam is about exciting golf. It's not about watching players struggle for a bogey."

Charles expects the 2009 Grand Slam to be a much more spectator friendly event with the majority of the holes in easy access of the clubhouse.

He said the new layout opened up some stunning ocean views that would play well on the TNT telecast.

"This is a golf course that really showcases the beauty of Bermuda. I think it is going to look spectacular."

The Port Royal course, which reopened last month, was officially unveiled at a ceremony last night and will host an opening tournament, featuring basketball legenda Dr J and Bill Russell along with former football star Boomer Easison today.

Director of Golf Andrew Brooks said it had received unanimous acclaim from everyone who had played it.

"We are getting rave reviews. Visitors, tourists and locals want to play the Grand Slam course and I'm sure they'll want to watch it on television and be able to say - "I played there'. That is one of the great things about golf - you can play the courses. If you're an amateur footballer you can't just go and play Wembley."

Port Royal is a public course and anyone can play. Currently it costs $165-a-round for visitors, $133 for locals, including a cart, but the prices are expected to rise in September.

Premier Dr. Ewart Brown said: "The remake of Port Royal is more spectacular than even I imagined - and that's saying something because I'm the one often accused of having the dreams too big for Bermuda...When I look out toward the Atlantic Ocean I see what is, without a doubt, one of the best public golf courses in the world."

Dr. Brown added: "In the report I cited earlier, one of the criticisms from golf visitors was that our courses were dull. When I first became Tourism Minister I can't tell you how many times I heard that awful word to describe our golf product. In the view of many, there were not enough memorable features at our golf courses. Well, thanks to this comprehensive reconstruction project, I think those same critics would sing a different tune today.

"Have one of them stand on the eighth green, lining up his putt against a canvas of turquoise blue ocean. The word dull doesn't come to mind. Or have him walk down the 11th fairway with the Little Sound in front of him and the great Atlantic over his shoulder. There is nothing dull about this golf course anymore. Or have him stride up to 16th tee with confidence in his gate, but walk away with humility in his heart. This golf course is now overflowing with challenges and character - and most of all, it is overflowing with memories. Port Royal is now an unforgettable golf experience.

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