Six time major winner Nick Faldo has been brought on board to design a 6,000 yard course at the St George's resort.

The announcement was first made in July and reiterated again yesterday.

The Faldo course is set to become the centrepiece of Bazarian International's proposed luxury hotel and resort development replacing the old Club Med resort.

But a spokesman for the Premier said: "The public would still have use of the golf course."

The new golf course site will extend across land currently occupied by the 18-hole St George's public short course and over land alongside the ocean and Fort St Catherine's.

"I am thrilled to be designing a golf course in Bermuda," said six-time Major winner Nick Faldo. "And especially one in such a superb, beautiful and historic location. My company, Faldo Design, has an excellent working relationship with Carl Bazarian and his development team.

"We are close to completing another outstanding project with them in the Dominican Republic and I am confident that together we can bring a world class golf resort development to this part of the island."

The Premier and Minister of Tourism Ewart Brown welcomed the news Mr. Faldo's internationally renowned company Faldo Design has signed on to redesign the St. George's Golf Course.

He said: "This is great news for St George's and indeed tremendous news for tourism throughout Bermuda. I believe our island already has a fine reputation in the golfing world, but this development and the association with Nick Faldo will take it to another level."

Carl Bazarian, a pioneer of numerous luxury developments throughout the Caribbean and Latin America commented: "Not only is Nick Faldo a legendary player and wonderful ambassador for the game, he is also an exceptional golf course designer. I have no doubt that he and his architects will create something very special at St George's."

Faldo Design is a leading international golf course architectural practice dedicated to designing outstanding golf courses in every continent. Established in 1991, Faldo Design has completed projects in 14 different countries and is currently working in North America, the Caribbean, Europe, Russia, Africa and Asia-Pacific. Many have won awards for being top golf courses.

It is expected an announcement will be made soon on which hotel chain will develop the former Club Med site.