Dr Michael Refalo, who was speaking during a tour of the newly-embellished Marsa Golf Course yesterday, said the government is currently considering four projects earmarked for golf course development – proposals at the Heritage Park at Ta’ Cenc in Sannat Gozo, ‘Habel Bellu’, limits of Zebbug, Malta, beneath Verdala in Rabat Malta and a fourth one for the waterfront beneath a five-star hotel in Pembroke.

Dr Refalo expressed his hope that decisions will soon be taken to allow the projects to get off the ground, although he stressed that it was not up to his ministry to say which of these projects should be given the go-ahead or how many golf courses the island needs.

"There has been an immense loss of time over this decision and I urge people to do something about it," he said. "Decisions have to be made for the greater good and the quicker a decision is reached the better."

Referring to the Planning Authority he commented that this body should give clear parameters at the outset when the initial proposals are made by entrepreneurs.

"This would save a lot of valuable time and money to all those concerned," he said. "Should proposed projects for golf courses not be approved, then the entrepreneurs who are willing to invest heavily on our Islands, could proceed with another plan of action and invest in a different manner."

Dr Refalo was being shown round the course which has been spruced up to host an international golf tournament set to take place in Malta next year, which is to be the first of its kind ever to be held locally. The tournament should help put Malta on the map as a top tourist destination, especially among sports enthusiasts.

Owing to its pleasant climate, Malta has been hailed as an ideal location for all the golf courses being proposed for the Islands.

Dr Refalo said that there was a time when the course was more like a cabbage patch.

"Now, through the joint effort of all the members, the course has become an extremely playable attraction even to foreign visitors," the minister commented. He highlighted the need to compete with the various golf courses sprouting up all over the Mediterranean countries which compete directly with Malta for the attention of potential tourists.

"Every time somebody presents an alternative site for a big golf course, problems start springing up at every turning," he said.

Although the Marsa golf course is in fact a very small one by foreign standards, it is extremely popular as proved by the substantial membership and by the numerous visits made to it by people who are here on holiday.