Premier Ewart Brown departed yesterday for The Masters, currently in progress in Augusta, Georgia, confident of striking a deal which could see Bermuda tighten its grip on the prestigious PGA Grand Slam of Golf.

Last year saw Bermuda host the championships, which features the winners of golf's four majors, compete in a 36-hole showdown at Mid Ocean Club after which the Island received rave reviews from the United States Professional Golf Association (USPGA).

"This was a special week from all directions, from the great champions, to the great golf course, to the beauty of Bermuda, to the wonderful crowds," PGA of America president Brian Whitcomb told The Royal Gazette last October. "The island of Bermuda is not only one of the more beautiful places in the world, but it also displayed unmatched hospitality as the first site outside of North America to host the PGA Grand Slam of Golf."

Premier Brown now hopes last year's success will be enough to convince the USPGA to extend Bermuda's contract to host an event that is televised into millions of households around the globe.

Speaking exclusively to The Royal Gazette just prior to jetting off to the US, Brown commented: "I will see the PGA people socially tonight (last night) and then tomorrow (today) and Saturday we will have some meetings. We have no idea how they will respond, but I do know that they did enjoy Bermuda (last year), hence their return this year."

The Island's leader is highly "optimistic" he can achieve his objective at The Masters this weekend where the eventual winner will be the first qualifier for this year's Grand Slam.

"You have to remain optimistic," Brown smiled. "I'd rather be optimistic and lose than be pessimistic and lose.

"I know the PGA officials, the players and their wives were most impressed with Bermuda and our people during last year's Grand Slam. So if that is any indication we have every reason to be optimistic."

Brown also confirmed yesterday that Port Royal Golf Course, which is currently undergoing an estimated $13.7 dollar facelift, could possibly be the venue for future Grand Slam events.

"We would like a multi-year arrangement which would give us an opportunity to include Port Royal in the courses to be considered as the Grand Slam venue," he said.

Earlier this week Government consultant Roddy Carr, who was influential in having the Grand Slam moved to Bermuda, said he was pleased with the progress being made at Government's signature course.

"I'm absolutely astounded," he said. "The project is ahead of schedule and on budget and it's a massive job and complete makeover.

"We've certainly improved the quality and degree of difficulty of the golf course to bring it up to what I would call a PGA standard. And the objective obviously would be to get the golf course prepared hopefully for a PGA Grand Slam going forward if Bermuda can retain the contract."

The now-6,800 yard, Robert Trent Jones sr-designed layout is scheduled to reopen for business in January, 2009 and is to become one of the crown jewels in Government's ambitious strategic plan to transform Bermuda into a top golf destination.

"It was clear that we had a choice. We could either accept the status quo or we could renovate golf, so to speak, and then really have an attractive product to actually have people come to Bermuda to play golf," Brown said.

"Our goal, and again evidence is there in terms of what we are doing at Port Royal, is to upgrade the Government courses to encourage upgrades by other courses so that Bermuda offers a nice package for golf."

Last year Argentine Angel Cabrera defeated 2007 British Open champion Padraig Harrington in a play-off to win the first Slam held on local soil.

Meanwhile, tickets for this year's tournament, to be held at Mid Ocean Club from October 13-15, will go on sale next Monday and can be purchased via telephone by dialling 1-800-4653 or 561-624-7601 or by visiting websites www.pga.com or www.pgagrandslamofgolf.com.