Fresh off the back of a highly volatile topic among not only members but also Government, the privatisation of Ocean View Golf Course, members will be holding a forum on Friday in an attempt to inform the public about the legacy of the course.

The forum, entitled 'The Preservation and Conservation of the Legacy of the Ocean View Golf Course', comes shortly after Shadow Sports Minister Darius Tucker criticised the proposed new rates for the club in the House of Assembly.

The new rates would see the Government run course increase a senior's yearly membership a massive 60 percent, from $780 to $1250, while Family membership could rise more than 30 percent from $2,565 to $3,500.

The latest financial demands have sparked outrage among members and management who have urged the Trustees to reconsider.

The Government run course could be put in private hands after members of Ocean View Golf Club expressed an interest in running it themselves.

Members apparently decided on the dramatic course of action after being faced with an increase in fees that many found unacceptable.

Bermuda may find itself with just one public golf course if plans to change Ocean View's status go ahead.

Should the club go private, it would leave Port Royal Golf Course as the only public facility, after St George's course was closed last year to make way for a hotel.

Life member Harrison Simons doesn't believe that going private is in the best interest of the club, noting that it was formed to serve the whole community from the lower level right up to the top.

"The purpose of the forum is to enlighten the member and the general public about the history of the Ocean View Golf Club, what I call as the fall and rise of Ocean View Golf Club," said Simons.

"It is most important that most of the public know about the history of Ocean View which goes back to the early 1950's when we became a club.

"I can't answer the question about us going private but I don't think that we will go private. Ocean View was given permission to form a club by the then Executive Council.

"That was to be for all people, so if you go private then you would be contrary to the license that was given to us from the House of Assembly.

"By upping the prices as they were talking about doing you will be cutting out the lower level persons who can come here and enjoy the club, which is not what Ocean was meant for."

He added: "We are a club for all members of the community.

"But we are only the tenants, the course is owned by government and is a scenic nine-hole golf course. So no, I don't think we will be private per say."

The forum starts at 7p.m. at Ocean View.