Kim Swan has thrown his support behind plans to close Port Royal for a major revamp ? but he?s urged those making the decisions to stay true to the course?s original design.

The UBP Senator was on the West End Government course yesterday afternoon for a practice round ahead of the Bermuda Open which begins tomorrow ? together with defending champion Michael Sims and last year?s runner-up Dwayne Pearman.

And while he agreed that the nine-month closure estimate would cause considerable disruption and cost Government a substantial amount in lost revenue, he pointed to similar projects at Tucker?s Point and Belmont Hills where the work has been more than justified.

He was quick to stress, however, that Port Royal superintendent Nick Mansell and his staff had done a ?terrific job? getting the course ready for the Open and that it was now ?more than playable?.

?Obviously both the members and all those who play regularly at Port Royal would be greatly affected by the project ? but there is no doubt in my mind that it needs to be done, to restore the course to its former glory,? said the three-time Bermuda Open winner.

?Yes there would be some short-term disruption, but if you look at examples like Tucker?s Point and Belmont Hills that both underwent essentially the same thing that is being proposed at Port Royal, I think it?s fair to say that the results have been quite rewarding.

?It?s well known that when the course first opened it was considered one of the best of its kind in the world, but since that time the greens have lost their shape and their consistency and a variety of different grasses have crept onto the course as well.

?For the modern game, it?s also a little on the short side (6,700 yards). When you think back to when it first opened and you look at a hole like number two, which is a 563-yard par five - in those days that hole was considered an absolute monster.

?But now with all the advances in golf equipment and given how far young players these days hit the ball, reaching the green in two is fairly straightforward.

?Even somebody like me, in my early 50s, can hit the ball further now than when I was in my early 20s, so if there is any way they can lengthen the course in some areas, I think that would be a good thing.

?But while I agree that something has to be done, I would strongly suggest that the people behind the changes consult with the course?s architects ? the late Robert Trent Jones? former right-hand man Roger Rulewich ? to ensure that any changes that are made are in keeping with the spirit of the original design.

?When it was in its best condition, it was a truly world class course and I think it?s very important that none of the course?s special qualities are lost ? which is why it makes good sense to work with the people who were responsible for designing it.?

Port Royal was opened in the early 1970s to widespread acclaim, with Trent Jones and his architects going on to design both St. George?s in 1985 and later Tucker?s Point.

Proposed changes to the course reportedly include the resurfacing of all 18 greens and the addition of several large water features.

Meanwhile, Swan said yesterday his game was in good shape ahead of the Open, having devoted the last two years to practice and overseas tournament play after an extended hiatus.

Though not considered a favourite for the title by any means, particularly amid one of the strongest field?s assembled in the tournament?s 39-year history, the former European Tour player insisted he was ?quietly confident? about his chances.

?I?m striking the ball really well at the moment and I think I?ve got a good chance of doing well and surprising a few people,? he said.

?For a while now I?ve been slipping across to the US to play in a number of events on the North Florida and the Hooters Senior Tour, and I?ve shot quite a few sub-par rounds.

?It?s taken a awful lot of work to get my game to where it is now ? which has been difficult with my other commitments ? but I?m very happy with how I?m playing.?

Swan finished tenth last year in a tournament Sims won with a record score of 12-under par.