The losing bidder to develop the massive Morgan's Point site yesterday called a foul stroke over the decision.

And they urged the Bermuda Land Development Company to reverse the decision in the interests of the tourism industry and the Country.

But BLDC chairman Vince Ingham insisted his board had got it right and picked the best choice for Bermuda.

Alan Burland, who runs construction firm BCM McAlpine, is president of the rejected BEAM proposal for old US Naval Annex in Southampton.

BEAM was defeated by British-based Renaissance Resorts, known as Morgan's Harbour Investment Ltd. (MHIL).

But Mr. Burland said yesterday the BEAM plan was the best for Bermuda -- and offered a better golf course which would boost tourism and receive world acclaim.

Mr. Burland said Government's own brief for Morgan's Point stressed that it was the last major opportunity to boost the Island's tourism appeal -- a view backed by public input.

And he claimed BEAM's proposals were closer to the original brief and what a wide cross-section of Island opinion said was needed.

He added: "At the heart of our proposal was a development which would do something very positive for Bermuda over the long term.

"It's not a short-term deal, it's not just a residential project. It's a major tourism product which would attract tourists to Bermuda on a year-round basis.'' At the centre of BEAM's complaints is a play-off between the PGA championship golf course development proposed by MHIL, which is to be designed by golf legend Jack Nicklaus, and BEAM's, designed by world-renowned golf course architect Tom Fazio, with a commitment from three-time Masters champion Nick Faldo as touring pro.

But BEAM claims MHIL's golf course plan -- a totally mainland site -- is cramped and stresses housing over the golf course, while the BEAM proposal utilises a long stretch of the Annex peninsula and has a better balance of different kinds of development.

KPMG chief Blake Marshall, a BEAM consultant, said: "The Jack Nicklaus proposal is certainly not using the acreage they have at their disposal -- the holes won't have the length you need these days.'' He was backed by BEAM director Madeline Joell -- a vice-president of marketing at ACE Ltd. who represented Bermuda four times in the golf World Amateur Team Championships.

She said: "What was put out initially from a cross-section (of opinion) about what was needed and wanted, to what was finally chosen is so at variance I would like to have someone explain why they went from one to another.

"I do believe they have forgotten about that document and hope other people have forgotten about it as well.

Morgan's Pt. battle "This is not a case of sour grapes, but a case of putting the focus on what was put forward and what was finally chosen -- there's no cohesion there,'' she said. "You can go to a lot of courses in the world and play inland courses -- we have the water, we have the views and it's criminal not to use them.'' Mr. Burland said: "Ours is a tourism-related product and theirs is real estate-based development.

"Ours is the best in the long-term for Bermuda and ours is the best plan to keep money in Bermuda and keep it circulating in the Island.'' The BEAM team said their plan offered a better mix of housing, including affordable homes for Bermudians.

Mr. Marshall said: "Once they get through the process and get up the real estate, you won't be able to change.'' And the BEAM bosses questioned the fact that Nicklaus only became involved in the winning tender after the companies had submitted final proposals.

But Mr. Ingham said the decision was not up for discussion.

He said: "I appreciate their point of view -- the only response I can make is that they presented their proposal, we have considered it and we have essentially chosen what we consider to be the best.'' Mr. Ingham said the BLDC looked at three areas -- the team, the development plan and the financial package. The winner was a unanimous choice among BLDC board members.

He added: "In terms of the development itself, we looked at a destination as opposed to an element in the destination and at how the site was used in meeting the elements called for.

"We don't have an interest in the project, apart from the interests of Bermuda and we have acted in what we believe to be the best interests of Bermuda. If the board was split and public reaction was cool, we would consider going back to the drawing board.

"But to turn back the clock and do it all over again would suggest that we made the wrong decision. We are very comfortable that we have chosen the best team and the best project which meets the requirements to make that location a world-class resort.''