It hoped that after a number of legal wrangles work can finally get underway on the construction of the golf course to host the 2016 Olympic Games in Rid de Janeiro.

Course designer Gil Hanse has moved his family from the States to the Brazil city in readiness to finally turn the first sod ahead of golf returning to the Olympics for a first time since 1924.

Legal wrangles delaying the start of work on the 2016 Olympic Games host .

Work on the site at Reserva de Marapendi in Barra da Tijuca and the district that will contain the largest number of Games venues was supposed to get underway last October.

But as Peter Dawson, the CEO of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews explained:  “We’re hoping to get permission through in the next seven to 10 days and then we’re off and running.

“It’s a frustration and a worry.

“I didn’t expect to appoint the architect a year ago and next to nothing to have happened in the mean time, that’s for sure. Progress has been disappointing. Rio 2016 know about it, the International Olympic Committee know about it. There’s still time and it is a priority.”

Dawson was commenting in an article by Herald Scotland’s acclaimed golf writer, Nick Rodger.

The delay has been caused by ownership of the land where the course is to be laid out has led to a considerable delay.

It is also expected that the Hanse-designed course will host a tournament in 2015.

Many were surprised with Hanse was awarded the contract to design the course but then the quietly-spoken American has a list of stunning design projects to his credit including the much-acclaimed Craighead Course at Crail and the Scottish Open host venue at Castle Stuart also in Scotland.

Hanse won the right to construct the course