NOT surprisingly Port Royal will again host the majority of Bermuda's major golf tournaments in 2002.

With Belmont closed, the new Tucker's Point course (formerly Castle Harbour) still not reopened and Mid Ocean Club planning to resurface a number of its putting greens throughout the summer, Bermuda Golf Association were left with little choice when it came to drawing up their annual schedule.

Mid Ocean Club, as usual, will host the first big event of the year, the Men's and Ladies' Amateur Match Play Championship from March 4 to 9.

But as far as BGA tournaments are concerned, that's it for the private Tucker's Town club as they continue their improvement scheme around the greens.

Riddell's Bay, too, will hold just one BGA competition, the Senior Amateur Championships from May 14 to May 16.

After that the entire calendar is turned over to Port Royal which will play host to the Bermuda Men's Amateur Strokeplay Championships from June 7 to 10, the Mixed Foursomes Championship on September 14-15, the Bermuda Open from October 17-20, and the Bermuda Four Ball Strokeplay Championships from November 7-10.

What that means is that the Government-owned Southampton course will be under even more pressure to maintain championship standards in the coming year, something that hasn't always been evident in the recent past.

And the challenge to keep Bermuda's most-used track in top shape will no doubt increase over the coming months as more and more local golfers head west.

While demand from golf-playing tourists might continue to decline, Port Royal is likely to find itself busier than ever as Bermuda's own players - the entire Belmont membership for instance - search for tee-off times elsewhere.

That could, of course, signal busier times also at Ocean View and St. George's, but Port Royal will more likely be the most popular choice.

That was the case last weekend when Belmont, still attempting to keep their club active with regular tournaments on other courses, chose, and were fortunate enough to secure, Port Royal as an alternative venue.

And just this week, the BGA had to switch next month's Monthly Medal, originally scheduled for Belmont on February 9, to Port Royal on the same date.

With an increase in charity golf tournaments at nearly all local courses, competition tee-off times are likely to be at a premium this year. And it could be that some organisations will ultimately be disappointed, particularly those who don't book well in advance.

Already the BGA have had to cancel their annual Romay Inter Parish Tournament which originally had been scheduled for Belmont on February 16, because no alternative course could be found.

The opening of Tucker's Point - at last report set for April - could offer some respite, depending on how many former Castle Harbour members rejoin, and what kind of access is granted to non-members.

However, it remains to be seen whether that opening date will be met.

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A NEW president of Bermuda Golf Association will be installed later this month when the BGA hold their annual general meeting on February 18 at Riddell's Bay.

Steven Perry quit midway through his term back in November when he decided that the role was interfering too much with his private and professional commitments, and since then vice-president Bob Legere has been holding the reins. However, members will get chance to vote in a new slate of officers at this month's meeting . . . providing a quorum of at least 30 of them turn up!

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FULL BGA SCHEDULE FOR 2002

March 4-9: Bermuda Men's and Ladies Amateur Match Play Championship, Mid Ocean Club. Handicap limit:12. Entry fee: men $275; ladies $225. Closing date: February 18.

May 14-16: Bermuda Senior Amateur Championships, men's and ladies, Riddell's Bay. Minimum ages: men 55; ladies 50; Handicap limits: men 24; ladies 32. Entry fee: men $175; ladies $125. Closing date: April 30.

June 7-10: Bermuda Men's and Ladies Amateur Strokeplay Championships, Port Royal. Handicap limit: men 18; ladies 24. Entry fee: men $275; ladies $225. Closing date: May 24.

September 14-15: Bermuda Mixed Foursomes Championship, Port Royal. Handicap limit: men 24; ladies 36. Entry fee: $240 per team. Closing date: August 31.

October 17-20: Bermuda Open (for men), Port Royal. Handicap limit: 6. Entry fee: Professionals $300; Amateurs $225. Closing date: October 3.

November 7-10: Bermuda Four Ball Strokeplay Amateur Championship, Port Royal. Handicap limit: men 18; ladies 18. Entry fee: men $500 for team of two; ladies $400 for team of two. Closing date: October 24.