Shaun Goater (pictured) yesterday called for Bermuda to make the most of Tiger Woods' appearance in the Island's Grand Slam of Golf.

As many people as possible should head down to the Mid Ocean Club — even if they can't get a ticket to watch the world's number one golfer on the greens — according to the Bermuda Hogges' president.

Describing Tiger Woods as one of the leading superstars on the planet, Mr. Goater vowed to go along and soak up the excitement for his expected arrival in mid-October.

"Everyone, just go along," he said. "He's the best golfer in the world. That's as much as you can say.

"Even if you haven't got a ticket, you have got to go there. You have got to go and get a picture or something. This is tremendous. It's so exciting."

Former Manchester City striker Mr. Goater said, despite not being a proficient golfer himself, he was still able to draw inspiration from Woods, who qualified for the contest by clinching victory in the PGA Championship in Oklahoma on Sunday.

"I'm not a golfer," added Mr. Goater. "I have knocked the ball but I have to say I'm not good. If anyone asks, I have to tell them I don't play. But you don't even have to follow sport to respect what Tiger Woods has done. He knows he has to raise his game and play at his best and he's produced it."

He said that Mr. Woods' visit to the Island would have a number of knock-on effects.

"It will boost the young kids of Bermuda to get involved in golf and take up golf. The more positive things we can get kids on the better," he said.

"We know this talk about the negatives, but this is something positive we can talk about. We have got a well-known star coming to our shores to display his talents. This is great for tourism as well."

The showpiece event is for the winners of golf's four majors — the Masters, the US Open, the British Open and the PGA Championship. Mr. Woods' victory puts him on the invitation list along with Zach Johnson, Angel Cabrera and Padraig Harrington. It is not compulsory for Mr. Woods to play, but Premier Ewart Brown says the signs from PGA officials have been positive. The news has led to a buzz of excitement around the Island, with hotel bosses anticipating a boom, and Dr. Brown predicting Mr. Woods' involvement would guarantee millions more people tune in to watch the event on television.

The Department of Tourism has invested $1.5 million in the project, but expects that to be money well spent as golf fans from more than 100 countries are expected to watch.

Shirley James, president of the Mid Ocean Club, said volunteers were still needed to help with the Grand Slam and urged members of the public to get in touch. "I don't think they realise that anybody who wants to be a volunteer, they can," she said. "There are jobs for marshals, with the merchandising tent, all sorts of things.

"I think there are a lot of members of the general public who'd love to be involved but don't quite know how to go about it. Even though we are a private club, this is something for all of Bermuda."

Mrs. James, the Mid Ocean's first female and first black president, also praised members of the club's Grand Slam committee for their efforts in organising the event. "I am so pleased with the members of the committee and how hard they are working. In the next few weeks, they are really, really going to have to their work cut out. Volunteers would certainly help." Anyone interested in helping at the Grand Slam should call the club on 293-0330.

See Shaun Goater's Royal Gazette column Read The Goat in today's sports pages.