Bermuda will keep the PGA Grand Slam of Golf for another two years, Premier Ewart Brown announced yesterday.

Port Royal Golf Course — currently undergoing $14 million renovations and described by PGA president Brian Whitcomb as "one of the world's great courses" — will be the venue for 2009 and 2010.

Shortly before the first round of the Grand Slam teed off at the Mid Ocean Club, Dr. Brown said: "We are very proud that the relationship with the PGA continues. This is the kind of announcement we love to make, because it is a case of growth and development in the relationship with the PGA of America and the Grand Slam."

Port Royal, a public golf course which has been closed since the end of 2007, is scheduled to open in January. Explaining its selection in place of the Mid Ocean Club, the Premier and Tourism Minister said: "This is a Government investment, a taxpayer funded tournament, and Port Royal is a public golf course, a Government golf course.

"So it's ideal that we would have the option of moving it to that course. We think that it gives yet another opportunity for people to see that Bermuda has more than one or two or three golf courses, and that Port Royal was worth the investment and now we are ready to show it off."

Mr. Whitcomb described Bermuda as one of the most beautiful spots in the world and praised Bermudians who "show the love".

He said: "We know that our television partners, we know how excited they are to be able to show the world through the game of golf how beautiful this Island is, and the warmth and feeling that you get while you're here in Bermuda.

"We are excited about that and excited about the Port Royal Golf Course and going there. It's important, when you have two golf courses with the stature and visibility that you have there, as well as the absolute beauty as well as a challenging golf course, that the world gets to see that on this Island so we are thankful for that.

"We know the players love being here. They have told us both years now, how excited they are and how happy they are to be here.

"So when you add that all together, it's a small wonder that through the Premier and the Government here and the Tourism Department and the PGA of America that that relationship continues to grow and flourish.

"That's why we are so proud to announce not just 2009 and 2010, but to play one of the great golf courses in the world, Port Royal Golf Course."

Thousands of spectators poured into the Mid Ocean Club yesterday to watch Jim Furyk, Padraig Harrington, Trevor Immelman and Retief Goosen do battle in mixed weather conditions — with early morning rain making way for some sunshine later in the day.

Among the Bermudians enjoying the day was Morris Wainwrigg, who told The Royal Gazette: "I like this. It's a good thing for the people."

His friend Ross Burchall said: "It's a lot of fun. It brings tourists down here and the weather's not bad."

Mr. Burchall, who plays off a 12 handicap at the Mid Ocean Club added: "It helps my game to see these players because it shows me what not to do — because I'm a player."

* See today's Sports section for full coverage of the Grand Slam.