St.George?s Golf Club members will be restricted to playing just nine holes of the 18-hole course over the next seven months.

But the good news is that when work?s complete in November, the Government-owned lay-out should be able to boast some of the best greens of any Bermuda club.

Constantly ravaged by the affects of salt water spray over the years, the ocean side course greens will undergo complete renovation with the introduction of seashore paspalum, a type of grass which actually thrives on salt and brackish water.

As of next Monday, St.George?s will close their front nine in order to relay the greens on holes one through nine. When they reopen, most likely in August, the back nine will be shut down in order that the same work can be carried out on holes ten through 18.

Course manager Max Atherden said players should notice a huge difference once all the greens have been relaid, hopefully by November.

?For the time being players will only be able to play the back nine and when that work?s complete only the front nine, but we expect to see a significant improvement,? said Atherden.

?We?re so exposed to salt water spray that we?ve always had problems maintaining the greens, particularly those right on the ocean like eight and nine, and 15 and 16.

?But this new grass ? seashore paspalum ? can actually be watered with salt water or brackish water.

?It?s been used extensively in Hawaii and the Caribbean, and even at Kiawah Island, and the results have been excellent. We think it?s going to make a huge difference.?

The closure of the front nine, noted Atherden, would also give workers a chance to improve the fairways and get rid of any weeds.

Michael Emery, new chairman of the Government golf course trustees, who took over from El James earlier this year, admitted the St.George?s project would be costly but well worth the investment.

?Our first priority is to get St. George?s up and running but next year it?s likely we?ll also take a look at introducing this type of grass to Ocean View and Port Royal,? said Emery.

?It is costly but the improvement should be tremendous.?

Meanwhile, Emery noted work was also planned at Port Royal where the water hazard on the 17th hole would be expanded and some of the greens reshaped.

It?s also expected that the driving range at Ocean View, badly damaged during Hurricane Fabian, will reopen soon.