A select group of local golfers will get a sneak preview of the renovated Port Royal Golf Course when they compete in an eight-hole tournament in which Premier Ewart Brown will play on January 28.

It couldn't be determined yesterday when the remaining 10 holes would be open to the public.

A shotgun start of 9.30 a.m. has been arranged for the tournament in which only invited guests will play.

Government have promised that the multi-million dollar project will transform Port Royal into the "finest course in Bermuda" and will be completed in time to host this year's PGA Tour Grand Slam in October, which will feature the winners of the four majors – The Masters, US Open, the British Open and the PGA Championship.

Jim Furyk won last year's tournament at Mid Ocean Club in which Padraig Harrington, Retief Goosen and Trevor Immelman also played.

As for the preliminary opening of the Southampton course, guests in the tournament have been asked to arrive at hole number six off Pompano Road after which players will be designated to their starting holes.

Exactly which holes will be played wasn't divulged in invitations sent out this week.

And no mention was made on the progress of work on the remaining 10 holes. Port Royal manager Bill Pitt couldn't be reached for comment.