The sun set on Horizons for the final time this week.

Another golf course gone; another parcel of land taken away from the public.

As long-time professional Edwin Jackson said, the sudden closure of the nine-hole Paget course was 'tragic'.

Horizons' par-three lay-out might not have been the most difficult of Bermuda golf courses – although very few will have recorded scores of under par – and most holes required no more than a wedge and a putter, but it had its place in terms of what it provided for the casual/fun golfer.

Not only the guests at Horizons but tourists staying at other properties would often take an hour or two to wind their way around the tiny but picturesque course.

Locals could often be seen thrashing around after work – it was ideal for anyone who harboured hopes of one day taking on the 18-hole championship courses such as Port Royal or Mid Ocean Club.

It was the perfect place for beginners and novices.

Indeed, Bermuda Golf Association's Novices, under the wing of professional Eardley Jones, often took advantage of Horizons.

Small clubs and companies staged tournaments for their members or staff when scores didn't really matter.

The fairways weren't exactly pristine, the greens a little bumpy and the bunkers might have contained more stones and shrubs than they did sand, but nobody really cared.

On an Island where there is precious little recreation for the holidaymaker it was something of a novelty. And, of course, no-one had to dig too deep into their pockets to play a round – $20 in the week, $25 at the weekend. Coupled with a cocktail or beer beside the pool afterwards, it made for an enjoyable afternoon or evening.

Perhaps the most disappointing part of its closure was the fact that another piece of real estate suddenly became inaccessible to the public in a country where open land is as fast disappearing as the new monolithic office buildings which have noisily turned Hamilton into a concrete jungle, are being constructed.

With a little bit of TLC and a little more investment, Horizons could have become a real gem.

As Government strives to make Bermuda a viable tourist destination, the closure of St. George's GC and now Horizons is hardly helping their cause.

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ORONDE Bascome can expect a baptism of fire when he takes his team to Somerset for next week's Cup Match.

St. George's are the holders but many in the West End and the neutrals believe this is the year that 22-year-old Bascome and his team might have to hand over the trophy.

They haven't been helped by serious injuries suffered by a number of key players.

The latest blow came this week when paceman George O'Brien, perhaps the fastest on the Island, was seriously wounded in a machete assault.

That came on the heels of an injury to another top pacer, Stefan Kelly and Greg Foggo who is battling a hamstring problem.

St. George's believe they have a batting line-up to repel what is bound to be a potent Somerset attack, which could contain the likes of captain Jacobi Robinson, Malachi Jones, Jordan DeSilva, Kevin Tucker and Dwayne (Sluggo) Leverock.

Which of those will take to the field next week won't be determined until after tomorrow's trial. But with those mentioned above and other bowlers pressing for a place, they'll have plenty of options.

St. George's need only a draw to retain the cup, and that might be the best they can hope for.

They and their supporters believe otherwise.

But whatever the outcome, this year's classic has the ingredients to make for just that – a riproaring classic.

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THOSE who watched the Open Championship on TV last weekend might have winced at the atrocious conditions – winds of up to 40 mph – which sent scores soaring.

It was difficult not to admire the way that South African Louis Oosthuizen handled that weather and beat golf's best in the process.

So why was it that so much of the TV coverage focused on Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson?

They might be ranked one and two in the world but at the home of golf, St. Andrews, they were rarely in contention.

There were so many others, particularly in the third round, who were far more deserving of the spotlight.

And if that wasn't enough, we had to put up with the irritating Paul Azinger.

In his eyes, if the player wasn't American he wasn't worth talking about.

What seemed to rile Azinger most was the fact that Sunday's final round leaderboard was dominated by Europeans, South Africans and Asians. He had to go down to 10th place to find an American.

That prompted the former Ryder Cup captain to observe there was 'little character' among those in contention.

Isn't that rich from the characterless Azinger, who doesn't seem to recognise that there remain plenty on the US Tour who are content to stroll around the perfectly manicured fairways under bright blue skies, looking to pick up a slice of the enormous prizemoney on offer rather than eyeing the title.

- ADRIAN ROBSON