Members of Port Royal Golf Course will meet tonight to discuss changes to the fee structure.

After the meeting, counter proposals are expected to be submitted to the Board of Trustees of the Golf Course, which is looking to abolish the seniors’ concession among a host of changes it says are aimed at improving the financial sustainability of both Port Royal and Ocean View Golf Club, the two government-owned golf courses.

The move has provoked the ire of Port Royal members with a survey last week indicating that 141 of the 167 respondents would cancel their membership if the proposed changes were waved through.

Underlying some of the members’ concerns is the lack of transparency surrounding the finances of government golf courses, with the last annual report officially audited by the Auditor-General coming in 2020.

That is despite Section 13 of the Golf Course (Consolidation) Act 1998 reading: “The Board shall, as soon as practicable after the end of each financial year, make to the Minister a report on (a) the exercise and performance of the functions assigned to it under this Act during that year; and (b) its policy and programme.

“(2) The Minister shall cause a copy of every such report made to him under subsection (1) to be laid before each House of the Legislature within a reasonable time.

“(3) The report made under subsection (1) for any year shall set out any directions given by the Minister to the Board during that year and shall include—(a) the audited financial statement together with the Auditor's report thereon; and (b) a statement setting out the scales of salaries and wages paid to officers.”

Tracey Burgess, president of Port Royal and chair of the members executive committee, admitted there are “significant concerns” among stakeholders.

“The committee acknowledges the concerns raised by members regarding the recently proposed membership rate increases at Port Royal Golf Course,” Burgess said

“As a public facility that plays a vital role in Bermuda’s golfing community, Port Royal must remain accessible and fairly priced for those who support and use it regularly.

“While we understand the responsibility of the Board of Trustees to ensure the long-term sustainability of the course, the proposed rates have created significant concern among members who have been loyal supporters of Port Royal for many years. These members contribute not only financially but also to the spirit and community that make the course what it is today.

“Our position is that any changes to membership rates should be transparent, reasonable, and reflective of the fact that Port Royal is a public course that serves the wider community.

“We are committed to engaging in constructive discussions with the Board of Trustees and remain hopeful that, through meaningful dialogue, we can reach a fair and balanced agreement that respects the interests of members while supporting the continued success of the course.

“The committee is meeting tonight to firm up its counter proposal and submit it to the Board of Trustees.”