Golf members at the Fairmont Southampton have reacted with anger and disbelief at news that half their course is to be torn up to accommodate 145 vacation homes.

Hotel general manager Norman Mastalir said last week that the new development ? which would see the famous par-three, 18-hole course reduced to ten holes plus a short game academy ? would ?re-energise? Bermuda?s tourism sector and ?enhance revenue streams? of Bermuda and the hotel.

But several individuals close to the situation, including club president Paul Cashin, have told that many of the members are deeply unhappy with the plans and are intent on vigorously opposing them.

A meeting between the two sides is due to be held tomorrow night at the hotel, where Fairmont officials will attempt to justify the decision as well as listen to questions posed by the membership.

Explaining the background yesterday, Cashin revealed that his club?s numbers have been declining for some time while hotel officials had voiced concerns in the past that the course was not generating the necessary profits.

Mr. Cashin stressed the club would look at whatever deal was put on the table by the hotel before deciding how to proceed.

He was realistic enough to admit however that Fairmont stands to make millions of dollars out of the golf villa development and there might be little they could do to stop the corporate juggernaut.

?The sense I get from what I?ve been told already is that we?re fighting a losing battle,? he said.

?In all fairness they did invest a sizeable amount of money in the course a few years back and have sat down with us a few times to discuss how we can make the golf course financially viable for them. They made it clear to us at the time that they did not think the golf course was doing well enough.

?Obviously none of us are very happy about the situation. The course was there before the hotel was even built and there has been a constant tension between the club and the hotel during my 12 years as a member. We?ll have to wait and see what happens on Thursday night.?

Another member contacted yesterday, who did not wish to be named but has been involved in various capacities with the club for almost two decades, also expressed disappointment with the plans.

?It?s absolutely ridiculous,? he said.

?I first learnt to play the game on the course and I?ve played there regularly ever since. I understand that the course needs to make money and it hasn?t done for quite a while ? but I don?t see the logic in destroying half of such a prime asset when we should be spending more time working out how to get more people playing on it.

?These holiday homes will certainly make the hotel chain a lot of money, but I?m not sure it?s really in interests of Bermuda.?