Belmont Hills Golf Course has teed off a $1.5 million renovation programme.

The Warwick course is to demolish its existing clubhouse and restaurant and rebuild bigger and better facilities.

The development will feature a larger members’ lounge and bar along with a new restaurant and pro shop.

At the same time, Blu Bar and Grill, which shares the building, will expand into the present pro shop to add around 2,000 square feet to its floor space to create a new private dining room.

Larry Doyle, the Belmont Hills owner and US businessman, said: “The members of Belmont — most of whom have been loyal to the club for many years — have waited a long time for the much needed upgrade in this area and I am happy to be able to do this for them.”

Mr Doyle, a hedge fund manager who already owns the old Lantana property in Somerset, sealed the deal for the Newstead Hotel and Belmont Hills last year with a price tag thought to be as high as $18 million, although the terms were never disclosed.

He said: “When I invested in Newstead and Belmont back in 2014 I said my intention was to invest further.

“I am pleased that my building plans were approved and I can now do this.”

The existing Shanks restaurant will be “razed” and rebuilt with more space and higher ceilings, while a new pro shop will also be built to replace the existing one, located next to Blu on the upper floor of the complex.

Mr Doyle said: “The restaurant downstairs was really tired and needed a big upgrade.

“I just think the members have been very loyal to the place and it was really beyond tired. It had been neglected for years — I was hoping to get it done a year ago, but it took time to get all of the approvals.”

Mr Doyle added that the expected America’s Cup boost to tourism in 2017 had not been factored into the plans, as he had designs on improvements before the Island was chosen as the venue for the coveted sailing event.

But he added: “We feared the America’s Cup might take construction crews away from us, so we thought we’d better get on with it.”

Mr Doyle said that Blu, run by the Dining Bermuda chain, which also includes Little Venice and L’Oriental in Hamilton, as well as the luxury yacht Venetian, would be reopen in three months, while the golf course improvements would be completed by mid-August.

Belmont general manager Bushara Bushara added: “I’m excited about this major improvement for our members — expect more news about other improvements during 2016.”

Dining Bermuda partner Constanzo Di Meglio, who manages Blu, said that taking over the present pro shop would also mean a bigger patio area, with views over the golf course and the Great Sound, the venue for the America’s Cup finals.

He added: “We wanted a larger and more beautiful terrace. It’s a beautiful view and I think unique in Bermuda. It will also be facing where the America’s Cup is going to be held.”

And Mr Di Meglio said: “We will be refurbishing the lounge — it’s going to be more like a living room than just tables and chairs.”