New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram, Jun 17 (IANS): The Supreme Court Thursday cleared the decks for the takeover by the Kerala government of the Trivandrum Golf Club and the state's only golf course.

The court set up a panel headed by the chief secretary of the state to run the day-to-day affairs of the club that managed the golf course.

The 9-hole golf course spread over 25 acres was established by the royal family of Travancore in 1850. On Nov 11, 1966, the course was handed over to the club under licence for 99 years.

One of the provisions of the licence says that 30 years after the grant of licence, the state government could terminate it after giving a two-year notice. The notice period ends November 2010.

The club's facilities are used by 600 members, most of whom are bureaucrats and politicians.

Kerala Revenue Minister K.P. Rajendran expressed happiness on the apex court verdict. "The government stand has been vindicated and we are delighted," Rajendran said in Thiruvananthapuram.