A HELPING hand from Mother Nature has kept Belmont's remodelling plans right on track.

And members could have their course back by early next year - complete with 18 new greens and a whole host of redesigned fairways.

When complete, the Warwick track is expected to measure just over 6,000 yards, and according to club pro Alex Madeiros will be almost unrecognisable from the course that closed early in the New Year.

At that time, a March, 2003, reopening date was set and it now appears likely that target will be met.

"I think the work's been going even better than we thought it would," said an enthusiastic Madeiros this week.

"We're moving along very quickly and things are on schedule. We have a March opening date next year and I think we'll make it.

"The architect and everybody else has done a fantastic job. I think the vision has been unbelievable. It will be a completely different golf course, a course that I believe everybody will enjoy playing."

In addition to the new greens, all of which will feature a much faster Tiff-eagle surface, the redesign will take several of the fairways away from residential areas which had in the past posed safety concerns.

"I think the safety issues have been addressed and in doing so I think we will see a far superior golf course than we had before," noted Madeiros. "It's unbelievable what has been done already."

The project has remained on schedule not only because of favourable weather conditions but also because work has been carried out "the right way."

"An action plan was put into into place and they've stuck to it and as a result it looks as though we're going to meet our deadline.

"What you see now is basically the greens mix. We're expecting our first lot of greens (Tiff-eagle) to arrive soon, within the next couple of days. They'll come in in bunches of seven and then the next batch will be right behind them.

"All 18 greens will be completed and then it's just a matter of letting them grow. In fact, our next priority is the greens. What you see now is a lot of the shaping being completed and the soil put down."

As for a new clubhouse, Madeiros admitted he wasn't sure when work would begin, and it remained possible the course could reopen before that building was complete.

Meanwhile, what members will no doubt appreciate is a dramatic change on the 18th hole, long criticised for the severe right to left slope which invariably left tee shots in the same collection area, whether struck well or poorly.

"If you look at it now - and anybody's welcome to come up - you wouldn't believe what you'd see," said Madeiros. "It's a completely different hole.

"But then a lot of the holes are completely different. It's a different course altogether."

IF Bermuda recognised a Golfer of the Week, there's no doubt who would have received last week's award.

Brenda McClean wrapped up victory in the Bermuda Ladies Senior Amateur Championships at Riddell's Bay last Thursday and then proceeded to win the Mid Ocean Club Championships over the weekend - an impressive double indeed!