Half of the St George’s Golf Course could be back in play for golfers before the beginning of July, according to Kenneth Bascome.

The St George’s MP said he and a group of volunteers have been working to bring nine holes on the course back up to playable standards, to provide another amenity to visitors, and the St George’s community.

“It’s not going to be a championship course, but I believe it will be challenging enough for people to enjoy it,” he said. “At this stage there have been a few people playing from tee to green, although the greens aren’t really playable yet.”

The St George’s course was closed by its board of trustees in July 2008 after it was projected to lose more than $600,000 for the year ending March 2009. Government was allegedly still spending $150,000 to maintain the course more than a year after it had closed to the public.

The course was temporarily reopened in 2011 through a joint effort of the Chamber of Commerce, the St George’s Club and the Eastern Economic Empowerment Zone, and in the last year Mr Bascome and fellow St George’s MP Nandi Davis have organised community rallies to help restore the course.

Mr Bascome said yesterday that for the last ten weeks, he has been working with a team of volunteers to clean up the course, and he is confident he can have nine holes playable before the beginning of July — provided he receives another boost of community support.

“I’m looking to have another cleanup and family rally on May 25, and I’d like to invite everyone in the community to come up and lend a hand,” he said. “We have had a great turnout previously, and I would like to thank everyone who came out in support, but I am calling on the community again so we can bring this asset back for the people of St George’s.”