BERMUDA'S golf industry has been resting on its laurels for 15-20 years now. But that is changing, according to Kevin Benevides, the Director of Golf at Tucker's Point.

"It is a bit like the tourism industry ? we just automatically believed that people would come to Bermuda, " he said this week.

"We relaxed on our reputation for so many years and while all the other clubs and resorts in the United States advanced we just stayed put. And it takes a lot of time to get those customers back. And we also relied on the convention business too much."

But Benevides said that Bermuda's golf reputation was coming back due in large part to the improvements to the island's courses and a fresh attitude by those working there.

"We have, and are, spending a lot of money at Tucker's Point (formerly Castle Harbour) and Belmont (Hills) have spent a lot of money improving their facilities. Mid Ocean have spent money and I believe you will see Port Royal improving their greens. People don't just come down here to play one course. We want to see all the courses improve and they are."

Benevides echoed what many have been saying for years ? Bermuda was getting run-down.

"It cost a lot of money for people to come and stay here and we didn't keep up ? we had the same services and facilities that we had 15 years ago. However, I see a change coming. And face it, we have to change ? not just the golf clubs and courses but tourism in general. We have to keep up with the training."

Part of that change is a new breed coming into the local golf industry. Young Andrew Trott has just been appointed as head pro at Tucker's Point.

Benevides said: "There are more opportunities for these young pros today. Because of better education in the business of golf they come into the industry more aware of what is needed. And they do not treat it like a job but rather as a career. They are coming into this business with a lot of knowledge."

And Bermuda must keep up with the modern times, said Benevides.

"We do not want customers coming from, say Myrtle Beach, and feel like they have taken a step backwards when they come to Bermuda to play."

Head pro Andrew Trott, who like a number of the young Bermudians in the golf industry has been away to specialist golf schools in the United States, said: "We are seeing a new generation of pros in Bermuda.

"I think they have been introduced to the different ways and the newer ways of doing things. There is so much technology going on nowadays ? so many ways of doing things and making it professional. We have gone to the US and seen what happens at their clubs and courses ? the way customers get treated and the way things are presented. We are trying to bring that back to Bermuda."